Delta Airlines has announced it will no longer allow Bulldogs on any of its flights.
Airline officials said the ban on English, French and American Bulldogs has been in place since February, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Last year, 16 dogs died on Delta flights, six of which were Bulldogs. Anthony Black, a Delta spokesman, told the Journal-Constitution that in some cases, the Bulldogs died while other dogs flying in the same cargo area survived the flights.
Flying is more dangerous for brachycephalic, or short-snouted dogs, including Bulldogs, Boxers and Pugs. Their small nostrils and narrow windpipes can cause them to have breathing and overheating issues. The stress of flying compounds these problems.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 122 dogs died on airline flights between 2005 and 2010. Twenty-five of the dogs were English Bulldogs and six were French Bulldogs.
“We’re pleased that Delta is being attentive and responsive to the particular animal welfare concerns with Bulldogs,” Michael Markarian, chief operating officer of the Humane Society of the United States, told the Journal-Constitution.
Along with Delta, American Airlines has not allowed snub-nosed dogs on its flights since last November.
“There’s a consumer demand for traveling with pets in a safe and humane manner,” Markarian said. “People want to make sure that their four-legged family members are safe and are cared for, and are not simply thrown in a cargo hold like your suitcase.”
PHOTO: Motohide Miwa
Category : Travel Tails
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