My 6 year-old Beagle had to travel by airplane, I bought her a very nice kennel to make sure she was comfortable, we followed all the vet's instructions to make sure she was OK. She did well the first time, it was a 10-hr flight. Then on our way back, she arrived in very bad condition, her eyes were bloated, she couldn't stop vomiting and eliminating her waste (full of blood) and was very nervous. I couldn't believe my eyes when I took her out of the kennel at the airport. The veterinarian examined her and told me that for her symptoms it seems that the cabin where she traveled wasn't well pressurized and she was lucky to make it alive. Thank God she is fine again. I have to travel again, with her, I have the return ticket with the same airline, and I am afraid to put her in a high risk situation. I want to take legal action towards the airline and I don't want to travel anymore with this airline (supposedly one of the best that exist now). How can I do? I need HELP from a Lawyer!
2007-01-18 04:15:26 · 8 answers · asked by Nelly B 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You need to get all documentation from your vet concerning the condition of the beagle and what his expert opinion on what could have caused it. Then write an official complaint to the airlines about what happened. Best to get a lawyer's help here. The airline will respond right away and offer profuse apologies and offer to return your airfare or give you a free ticket to somewhere (They did this when I complained about how they misled me as to the cost of flying with my cat - thankfully, that was all. But your complaint is truly serious). You or your lawyer will have to respond to the airline offer. You should ask for compensation for the cost of the vet, any long-term effects their mistreatment may cost for the beagle; and your mental anguish or whatever your lawyer suggests. YOU HAVE A CASE. Don't let it go becuase you will also be doing other pet owners like me a favor by alerting airlines that they need to be careful and make sure their pressurized pet compartments in cargo are working well.
I travel a lot with my cat and your story trully alarms me. But ev erytime my cat has to go in luggage, I ask the chief steward to make sure that the pilot knows there is a life animal on board. I pester and generally make a total pain of myself.
What's the airline? Please tell us and share your experience. I'm sure amny of us would like to know!
2007-01-18 04:29:41 · answer #1 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor little girl. That's terrible! I think you have a very good case against the airline and I think you should contact a lawyer, and press charges. It sounds very suspicious, that the poor dog was in that condition. Hold onto the information the vet gave you, for evidence, that the airline was at fault. If I was you, I would not travel with her on that same airline again. I would also mention, what happened to her, to the new airline, you travel on with her, make sure,they are well aware of what happened to her, when she flew with the other airline, so that doesn't happen to her again. I sure hope she's ok!
2007-01-18 04:31:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you know what call the 1-800 phone number and talk to someone in charge at the airline and explain what you expierienced . They probably will pay the vet bill and tell them that you are extremely upset and that you would like to know why this happened and why dont they consider the animals traveling on their airline as precious cargo such as with their human cargo. Was this America West airline ? I had a similar expieirience with them boy what a horror it was . If you want to email me then I will explain what happened to you . Good luck and I hope you have a good out come . Oh also if they tick you off then go see a lawyer and file suit . good luck .
2007-01-18 04:35:22 · answer #3 · answered by Kate T. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you answered your own question! You need to find a lawyer experienced in dealing with airlines and talk to them about what you can do.
Unfortunately, in most places the law considers a pet a piece of property and not a living, sentient being. Because of this you probably won't get a huge settlement, but I'd imagine that the airline should at least pay for the vet bills to make her better.
I think it's a hard lesson learned that perhaps your dog should stay with family or friends when you travel. I admire you for wanting to take your dog with you, but travel by air is very difficult on a dog, especially when it has to travel as cargo. I suggest hiring someone to care for your dog next time you need to travel.
2007-01-18 04:29:13 · answer #4 · answered by GoldenDonut 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First off why do you HAVE to take the dog. Leave the dog home with a family member or friend or a dog sitter. And as far as the airline goes, well I'd go talk to a lawyer. MORE so when you have a vet that is giving you the reason you listed.
2007-01-18 04:23:17 · answer #5 · answered by GRUMPY 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is a superb notion I wish it finally ends up being a global organization. I believe its dull that theres few airways that fly animals and not more that fly them within the cabin...I believe placing them within the keep is merciless, it will possibly kill animals. In the UK in which I am there are 2 firms with the intention to fly animals after which its most effective puppies and cats. Its a truly suckfest for the ones people who've pets. For the ones people who cant force its some of the simplest methods to get approximately, but when I cant shipping animals its foolish. I'm no longer pronouncing all airways will have to do it however a minimum of one or 2 will have to present the provider.
2016-09-07 21:39:04 · answer #6 · answered by vite 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
call a lawyer.
Different states have 1-800-numbers where you can talk to someone and explain the problem and they'll hook you up with lawyers that would handle it.
Do a search for "Find a lawyer in ______" whatever state you're in.
Damn airlines...I just saw on the news about a cat that was missing for three weeks on a plane
2007-01-18 04:29:10 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your time and your money - take them to court ( but they have lawyers by the hundreds - and the court will only consider the value of your pet and any damage to that value )
the only way to punish them is to fly with someone else next time ( you might try forwarding the vet bill to their customer service department after notifying a supervisor - they may just pay it to get rid of you )
2007-01-18 04:25:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋