A dog has died on a plane after a flight attendant instructed its owner to place the animal’s carrier in an overhead bin, according to reports.
The tragic incident occurred on a United Airlines flight from Houston to New York on March 12. The owner was traveling with two small children and their 10-month-old puppy — a french bulldog — that was placed in a TSA-approved pet carrier.
In a Facebook post, fellow passenger June Lara documented what happened during and after the flight. Lara was sitting behind the family with the dog and watched the incident unfold in front of him.
“There was no sound as we landed and opened his kennel. There was no movement as his family called his name. I held her baby as the mother attempted to resuscitate their 10-month-old puppy. I cried with them three minutes later as she sobbed over his lifeless body.
“My heart broke with theirs as I realized he was gone,” he added.
“This was a tragic accident that should have never occurred, as pets should never be placed in the overhead bin,” United said in a statement to the news station.
“We assume full responsibility for this tragedy and express our deepest condolences to the family and are committed to supporting them. We are thoroughly investigating what occurred to prevent this from ever happening again.”
He said the family has been refunded the price of their tickets as well as the price to bring a pet on board — which is usually $200, reported the news station.
The cause of the dog’s death is still unknown. United said they are willing to pay for a necropsy.
According to the news station, the flight attendant is also distraught and said the language barrier could have added to the confusion.
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