Dog dies on United Flight

[CJ2008]

I am just so heartbroken about this I feel like I am about to burst into tears.

From the little bit I've heard on the news it seems that the stewardess made the passenger put the dog in the overhead compartment.

I cannot even begin to fathom how this could happen. And does nobody at any point check on the animal?

I just don't understand.

I am just so heartbroken.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/13/us/united-airlines-dog-dies-trnd/index.html

 

[Missy]

CJ I heard only a snippet abut this accidentally when I was trying to get weather info last night. I cannot read the details and I too am heartbroken.
@Dancing Fire started what I think is a similar thread earlier FYI

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/iyo-should-pets-be-allowed-to-fly.239114/


And not knowing the full story I apologize if I got this wrong but some humans are too stupid or too uncaring to deserve to have fur babies as part of their family.

 

[CJ2008]

Missy I didn't read it or watch it in full either because I can't handle it. I saw a couple of pictures of the little dog and I burst into tears.

I just don't understand how someone is not checking on the dog every 10 minutes. I mean if you really felt forced to put it in the overhead bin which I can't even fathom but say you think it might be OK because it's in the same place you're in - it's a closed bin. How is there supposed to be any air in there. And temperature.

The dog probably suffered.

So sad and infuriating at the same time.

I really wish I had not heard this story.

 

[CJ2008]

How do none of the passengers who heard a dog was being put up there not suggest to check on the animal?

I know if I had been on that flight there is no way I would have sat there for 3 hours knowing there is a dog in an enclosed bin.

 

[CJ2008]

DH said that people said the dog had been crying. How does not ONE person on that flight - not ONE - do anything.

 

[Missy]

DH said that people said the dog had been crying. How does not ONE person on that flight - not ONE - do anything.

Animals should NOT be considered property. The people responsible should be prosecuted and put in jail. Animals are LIVING beings. Not "property" and should never be treated like this. Everyone responsible should be put in jail. I am not joking. Disgusting.

 

[CJ2008]

Missy if I tell you that my heart is so heavy with pain right now this story is hitting me so hard.

I cannot understand how this happened.

I don't know what the punishment should be only because I am not thinking clearly right now.

And because right now all I can think about is that the dog suffered. It trusted in humans to do right by it and they failed him miserably.

So fng sad.

 

[CJ2008]

I hold every person on that flight that knew there was a dog up there responsible.

 

[junebug17]

And updated article says the flight attendant is claiming she did not know there was a dog in the bag. The article mentions a language barrier? Not defending, just providing some new info. Such a terrible thing

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/owners-dog-died-in-overhead-bin-on-united-airlines-flight-speak-out/

 

[Missy]

I hold every person on that flight that knew there was a dog up there responsible.

I don't know what the punishment should be only because I am not thinking clearly right now.

I know clearly what the punishment should be. Jail time for a long time. Nothing else will be a fair punishment. I hate to say this but probably nothing is going to change or be done. And if even a fine will be imposed that would be the max punishment but mark my words-no human will pay the price here. But in my heart clearly I know punishment should equal the crime. The crime was IDK the technical term but cruel and depraved indifference. That deserves a significant punishment. Not just a fine.

And updated article says the flight attendant is claiming she did not know there was a dog in the bag. The article mentions a language barrier? Not defending, just providing some new info. Such a terrible thing

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/owners-dog-died-in-overhead-bin-on-united-airlines-flight-speak-out/

Junie thanks for the link. I personally cannot read any info on this story. I am heartsick. And am very sorry I heard anything about it at all. Poor puppy.

 

[CJ2008]

june, I'm not going to read that only because I need to stop thinking about this story.

I am so hearbroken my anger is not at any one person.

The OWNERS knew there was a dog in there.

If at some point the dog cried, whoever heard the dog knew there was a live animal in there.

I am so heartbroken it's not about the blame and WHO. I feel like there is no SINGLE person responsible for this. It's EVERYONE that knew there was a dog in there. And didn't even think at any point to check on the animal over 3 hours.

 

[CJ2008]

Missy trust me in no way am I saying I disagree.

I am just so heartbroken I just heard about this now and can't even get past the part where I just feel pain and anger. I am not thinking clearly enough to get past that into any logical thought process.

 

[LJsapphire]

This is absolutely horrific.
The owner should have known what to do with the dog, the procedures etc for flying.
If the owner was fully informed then they should have refused to place the dog in the overhead bin.
If the flight attendant misheard or misunderstood - why did they not just make them see it was a dog?
Anyone who heard the dog barking/crying or knew the dog was up there is also responsible.
To have sat there and heard the dog suffering (or thought it was just being a nuisance), they are also to blame.
sad I cannot imagine having to carry my dead pet off a plane.

 

[CJ2008]

LJ reading your post made me burst into tears again it's like I can't stop.

For me first is the DISCUSSION about the dog to be put in the overhead bin and the owners allowing it.
Then it's NOBODY ELSE saying "you should not put the dog in the overhead bin"
Then it's the dog crying and everybody - everybody - IGNORED IT.

I don't want to look at any more but I don't know if the bag looked like a pet bag. But if it did in any way then even worse. And if it was the stewardess putting the bag up there, did she not feel a MOVING thing?

I keep hearing "language barrier" (nothing directed at you Juney, please don't think that for a second - I had glimpsed at this in other articles or maybe even DF's post) - whose fgn language barrier? I heard the little girl briefly on the news and she spoke perfect English.

I cannot imagine opening the bag and seeing the dog gone.

That dog must have suffered and I am so so sorry.

I wish I had been on that plane.

 

[stracci2000]

And updated article says the flight attendant is claiming she did not know there was a dog in the bag. The article mentions a language barrier? Not defending, just providing some new info. Such a terrible thing

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/owners-dog-died-in-overhead-bin-on-united-airlines-flight-speak-out/

I got this impression, too, that there was a language barrier.
In the news clip, the girl was speaking, not the mom. Maybe there was some communication problem.
I would NEVER put my pet in that situation! I cannot believe the mom complied.
If this was me, they would have kicked me off the plane, because there would've been a fist fight between me and the flight attendant.

 

[cmd2014]

I read the articles on this, and am heartbroken. Witnesses said the owner repeatedly told the flight attendant that it was her dog, and the flight attendant still insisted that she put him up there. It was enough that other passengers got uncomfortable and tried to google whether it would be safe. But they were told to put their phones away, and it is a criminal offense not to comply with instructions from the flight crew. The woman was traveling with a newborn on her lap and another child, and there was apparently turbulence during the flight and people could not get up because of it. It’s a horrible situation. I blame the flight attendant. As a layperson, I at first couldn’t understand why the poor little thing would have been harmed (I didn’t know the overhead bins were airtight? I thought maybe luggage had shifted and hurt him. He was in a standard pet carrier.). I’ve had flight staff insist that I couldn’t take my cat on the plane with me despite paying the pet fee and making pre-arrangements. As a middle aged woman with enough money to be ok no matter what, I would not accept that now, but as a 20-something grad student with no money stranded in a connection airport, I felt that I had no choice but submit to authority on that front and my baby was placed in cargo against my wishes (and I worried the whole time that he’d freeze to death with the luggage). Vulnerable people get bullied because they don’t know what to do. People don’t know what to do when witnessing these things either. I can’t even imagine.

 

[CJ2008]

That's the thing.

It's PAST the point of compliance that bothers me even MORE.

Language barrier or not. How do you put a LIVE ANIMAL in a closed BIN and NOT CHECK IT IN 3 HOURS.

I am just so angry.

 

[stracci2000]

I read the articles on this, and am heartbroken. Witnesses said the owner repeatedly told the flight attendant that it was her dog, and the flight attendant still insisted that she put him up there. It was enough that other passengers got uncomfortable and tried to google whether it would be safe. But they were told to put their phones away, and it is a criminal offense not to comply with instructions from the flight crew. The woman was traveling with a newborn on her lap and another child, and there was apparently turbulence during the flight and people could not get up because of it. It’s a horrible situation. I blame the flight attendant. As a layperson, I at first couldn’t understand why the poor little thing would have been harmed (I didn’t know the overhead bins were airtight? I thought maybe luggage had shifted and hurt him. He was in a standard pet carrier.). I’ve had flight staff insist that I couldn’t take my cat on the plane with me despite paying the pet fee and making pre-arrangements. As a middle aged woman with enough money to be ok no matter what, I would not accept that now, but as a 20-something grad student with no money stranded in a connection airport, I felt that I had no choice but submit to authority on that front and my baby was placed in cargo against my wishes (and I worried the whole time that he’d freeze to death with the luggage). Vulnerable people get bullied because they don’t know what to do. People don’t know what to do when witnessing these things either. I can’t even imagine.

I think you just hit the nail on the head.

 

[CJ2008]

I read the articles on this, and am heartbroken. Witnesses said the owner repeatedly told the flight attendant that it was her dog, and the flight attendant still insisted that she put him up there. It was enough that other passengers got uncomfortable and tried to google whether it would be safe. But they were told to put their phones away, and it is a criminal offense not to comply with instructions from the flight crew. The woman was traveling with a newborn on her lap and another child, and there was apparently turbulence during the flight and people could not get up because of it. It’s a horrible situation. I blame the flight attendant. As a layperson, I at first couldn’t understand why the poor little thing would have been harmed (I didn’t know the overhead bins were airtight? I thought maybe luggage had shifted and hurt him. He was in a standard pet carrier.). I’ve had flight staff insist that I couldn’t take my cat on the plane with me despite paying the pet fee and making pre-arrangements. As a middle aged woman with enough money to be ok no matter what, I would not accept that now, but as a 20-something grad student with no money stranded in a connection airport, I felt that I had no choice but submit to authority on that front and my baby was placed in cargo against my wishes (and I worried the whole time that he’d freeze to death with the luggage). Vulnerable people get bullied because they don’t know what to do. People don’t know what to do when witnessing these things either. I can’t even imagine.

Yes, yes, yes, to SO MUCH of what you said.

I think we (people) are so easily bullied, so easily influenced by AUTHORITY figures. Some of us more than others.

Many of us don't like to make a fuss, we don't want to be "problem" passengers, "problem" patients, "problem" clients.

I did not know there had been turbulence.

You know what though. That is ONE instance where I would not have cared about complying with instructions. I would have checked on my pet. As much as I am one of those people who respect authority and can in some instances feel like I don't want to be a problem and avoid confrontation, that would have been a no brainer for me. My desperation and concern would have been stronger than my wish to not be seen as a "problem."

So heartbreaking.

ETA: I want to add, when it comes to animals, all bets are off for me. I would have DEFINITELY said something. Too bad that NOBODY on the flight found the guts or the courage or whatever it was they needed - to say something. "Uncomfortable"' wasn't enough in this case. (sad face)

So fng sad.

 

[Missy]

You know what though. That is ONE instance where I would not have cared about complying with instructions. I would have checked on my pet. As much as I am one of those people who respect authority and can in some instances feel like I don't want to be a problem and avoid confrontation, that would have been a no brainer for me. My desperation and concern would have been stronger than my wish to not be seen as a "problem."

Exactly. Would you be afraid to speak up about the safety of your human baby? NO of course not! How is this different? A vulnerable defenseless living being at the mercy of its human handlers. Merciliessly ignored and murdered. DEPRAVED INDIFFERENCE. I don't care about their excuses. Their is NO excuse for this. DISGUSTING.

 

[junebug17]

I got this impression, too, that there was a language barrier.
In the news clip, the girl was speaking, not the mom. Maybe there was some communication problem.
I would NEVER put my pet in that situation! I cannot believe the mom complied.
If this was me, they would have kicked me off the plane, because there would've been a fist fight between me and the flight attendant.

In the article I posted the airline stated that "the attendant didn't hear or understand her (passenger) and didn't knowingly put the dog in the overhead bin." So, not sure about a language barrier but something went terribly wrong. A tragedy that never should have happened.

 

[CJ2008]

Yeah...not one person spoke up. The dog completely defenseless at the mercy of how many humans and not one spoke up.

 

[tradergirl]

I have had Frenchies for 23 years and have rescued them with FBRN nearly as long. I have also lost two of mine to respiratory failure (one from a tracheal collapse, one from pneumonia, both at a senior age). That story hit me so hard I couldn't sleep. I had to take a sleep aid. I could not get that picture out of my head. I will tell you that when they go into heat stroke or respiratory distress, they lose consciousness very quickly. But I absolutely cannot fathom what happened there. I would have told the stupid flight attendant to go to hell and if she wanted to call the pilot back, have at it. And if I had been a passenger I would have insisted the bag be taken down. Even traveling under the seat is dicey with a brachycephalic dog. I cannot imagine how that owner will live with herself.

Whenever something like this happens that I have a hard time with, where suffering was involved and I can't reason with it, I pick up a book written by Steven Levine (now deceased) called, "Meetings at the Edge." In this book there is a dialogue with a mother whose teenage daughter was raped and killed while she was just out walking. The mother cannot let go of what her daughter experienced and replays it over and over in her head. I held onto this book like a lifeline when both of my Frenchies died of respiratory failure 5 weeks apart in 2015. I read it again the other night. It's not an answer but it helps.

 

[CJ2008]

Even if something went wrong in the communication it did not have to end there, that's what makes this so infuriating.

If anybody would have had the courage to speak up AFTER, the fact that the dog had been placed there would not have been the end of it.

It's everything that happened after that caused the dog's death.

Not checking on it and not one person thinking to say "is anyone going to check on the animal?"

Are you (again, not directed AT you, June!) going to tell me not one person got up to use the RESTROOM in the 3 hour flight?

So even the turbulence thing doesn't hold up against making sure the animal is safe.

 

[Missy]

Whenever something like this happens that I have a hard time with, where suffering was involved and I can't reason with it, I pick up a book written by Steven Levine (now deceased) called, "Meetings at the Edge." In this book there is a dialogue with a mother whose teenage daughter was raped and killed while she was just out walking. The mother cannot let go of what her daughter experienced and replays it over and over in her head. I held onto this book like a lifeline when both of my Frenchies died of respiratory failure 5 weeks apart in 2015. I read it again the other night. It's not an answer but it helps.

@tradergirl so sorry you lost 2 of your sweet babies to respiratory failure. Thank you for that book rec. I am going to check it out. (((Hugs))).

 

[WeeOui]

Humans disgust me. I am sickened to my core to think of how this poor baby suffered while the people around him, including his own family, did NOTHING. NOTHING. How ****ing STUPID does someone have to be?? I just can’t believe not a single person did anything. How is that possible?

I gave my babies extra hugs and kisses after hearing this story. The thought that they could have ever been adopted and at the mercy of complete and total morons is the stuff of nightmares.

 

[CJ2008]

I have had Frenchies for 23 years and have rescued them with FBRN nearly as long. I have also lost two of mine to respiratory failure (one from a tracheal collapse, one from pneumonia, both at a senior age). That story hit me so hard I couldn't sleep. I had to take a sleep aid. I could not get that picture out of my head. I will tell you that when they go into heat stroke or respiratory distress, they lose consciousness very quickly. But I absolutely cannot fathom what happened there. I would have told the stupid flight attendant to go to hell and if she wanted to call the pilot back, have at it. And if I had been a passenger I would have insisted the bag be taken down. Even traveling under the seat is dicey with a brachycephalic dog. I cannot imagine how that owner will live with herself.

Whenever something like this happens that I have a hard time with, where suffering was involved and I can't reason with it, I pick up a book written by Steven Levine (now deceased) called, "Meetings at the Edge." In this book there is a dialogue with a mother whose teenage daughter was raped and killed while she was just out walking. The mother cannot let go of what her daughter experienced and replays it over and over in her head. I held onto this book like a lifeline when both of my Frenchies died of respiratory failure 5 weeks apart in 2015. I read it again the other night. It's not an answer but it helps.

tradergirl I am so sorry about your Frenchies and that the story hit you so hard you couldn't sleep.

I feel I can hardly breathe I feel so angry and sad at everyone on that plane. I am even angry at the little girl probably the only other innocent victim here which goes to show you how angry I am that I am even feeling it at her.

I *wish* someone had said call the pilot. Call another flight attendant. Call someone ELSE. This person is wanting me to put my dog up in the overhead bin.

I am going to check out that book tradergirl. My heart feels surrounded with pain and stress it's like it's choking.

ETA I hope the dog lost consciousness and didn't suffer. It's all I can hope for for this little boy or girl.

 

[CJ2008]

WeeOui so heartbreaking.

The only thing making me feel slightly better is so many people here outraged as I am.

 

[Missy]

Humans disgust me. I am sickened to my core to think of how this poor baby suffered while the people around him, including his own family, did NOTHING. NOTHING. How ****ing STUPID does someone have to be?? I just can’t believe not a single person did anything. How is that possible?

I gave my babies extra hugs and kisses after hearing this story. The thought that they could have ever been adopted and at the mercy of complete and total morons is the stuff of nightmares.

+100000000000000000 to infinity

 

[tradergirl]

[QUOTE="CJ2008, post: 4306185, member: 23122

Same. I wept when I read the story and it's still bugging me. I don't participate in adoptions anymore. I try to help behind the scenes. I simply don't trust anyone. Looking at that mother and her daughter, I would not have given them a Frenchie in the first place. But I am sure they bought it from a breeder.