United Airlines: Dog dies after owners were ordered to put it in overhead compartment by cabin crew

A fellow passenger shared this image of the dead dog after it was forced into an overhead bin by United Airlines cabin crew
Tom Powell14 March 2018

A family’s dog died on a plane after a flight attendant demanded they put it in the overhead locker for the entire three-hour journey.

United Airlines said it took “full responsibility for this tragedy” and confirmed pets should never be placed in the overhead compartment.

A woman, a teenage girl and a young child were taking their 10-month-old black French bulldog on a flight from Houston to New York on Monday night.

Witnesses said they initially placed the dog, which was in a standard pet-carrier, under the seat in front before a flight attendant told them to move it to the overhead compartment.

'Tragedy': the dog was in a standard pet-carrier
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Fellow passenger Maggie Gremminger wrote on Twitter: “The passenger adamantly refused but the flight attendant went on with the instruction.”

United Airlines has apologised for the incident
David McNew/Getty Images

She added: “I assumed there must be ventilation as surely the flight attendant wouldn’t have instructed this otherwise.”

After the plane touched down, the woman found her dog dead inside its carrier bag and she reportedly sat on the floor crying.

Ms Gremminger said: “I heard the dog barking a little and we didn’t know it was barking a cry of help. I am so heartbroken.”

Another passenger June Lara wrote: “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.”

Chicago-based United said it is investigating the incident and talking to the flight attendant.

“This was a tragic accident that should never have occurred, as pets should never be placed in the overhead bin,” the airline said.

“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.”

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