Loophole In Airline Animal Death Reporting

Debbie Foster on Nov 17, 2008

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I was flabbergasted when I learned of a loophole the airlines have when it comes to reporting animal deaths. I was reading about a puppy that was crushed to death in her crate on the tarmac of a major international airport by being run over by a baggage conveyor machine. Yet, this animal's death was not included in the airline's reported total animal deaths.

Why? It's because the puppy was being shipped by a breeder. She was being transported by a business to be someone's pet, but she wasn't someone's pet yet. The word "animal" for purposes of having to report a death in the airline industry means one "that is being kept as a pet in a family household in the United States". So any injured or killed commercially owned animals being shipped by breeders, farms, pet stores, laboratories, etc., don't have to be reported to the U.S. Department of Transportation. What a loophole!!

Of course, airline officials say animal accidents are infrequent. The figures reported to the U.S. Department of Transportation would actually support that in light of the thousands of animals being transported on airlines annually. Bear in mind though, those numbers reflect only family pets. The public's perception of animal safety on airlines is as skewed as those numbers.

Although this loophole is sought by the animal and transportation industries, it doesn't represent the intent of the original reporting legislation. U.S. Senator Robert Menendez is the author of the original reporting legislation and he was quoted in the AJC saying "I believe current policies do not reflect Congressional intent. I am surprised and disappointed that animals covered by this law have been defined in such a narrow fashion." Apparently, he's not in agreement with the law's current interpretation. When spokesman Bill Adams from the Transportation Department responded, he said the agency's definition of an animal "properly carries out the mandates of the statute."

Surprise, surprise ... no one takes responsibility! Meanwhile, defenseless animals pay the price. Often the ultimate price. So what can we do? Put pressure on the Department of Transportation through our congressmen or women for a start. Demand they take another look at this issue. Meanwhile, make sure to report any instances you may see on animal safety while traveling, to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service at ace@aphis.usda.gov or by calling 301-734-7833.

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Debbie Foster is the owner of Pet Beds Unlimited and an avid animal lover. You’ll find a wide selection of quality pet beds, dog crates, dog carriers, dog pens, cat beds, cat carriers, large dog beds, pet strollers and more at http://petbedsunlimited.com.