More animals die on United flights than any other: report

Atlantic City, New Jersey - December 19, 2017: Male airline passenger is checking in his pet labradoodle that will accompany him on the plane. the dog is a comfort dog and he must show the proper documentation for the dog to be allowed on the plane. Shot with a Canon 5D Mark lV.

That’s right, folks, more animal-related drama for United airlines.

It seems the airline can’t catch a break right now.

Last month, as I’m sure you’ll remember, was littered with dog drama for United.

Not only was a French Bulldog killed on a United flight, but two other dogs wound up on the wrong flight with one poor puppy making it all the way to Japan, instead of Kansas City.

See also: United offers passenger $13k to give up seat

Now, it seems, United has earned the title of most animal deaths of any airline in 2017.

According to the US Department of Transportation’s 2018 Air Travel Consumer Report, of the four airlines that reported animal deaths, United Airlines reported 12 more deaths than the other three combined, reports Time.

The results don’t just include dogs, but any animal flown by a US airline.

The report said that of the 506,994 animals flown last year, 40 were involved in incidents, 15 were injured, 24 died and one was lost altogether.

Here’s a breakdown:

United was responsible for 31 of the incidents, 13 injuries, and 18 deaths.

American Airlines only had three incidents, including two deaths and one injury.

Delta had the same results as American Airlines.

Alaska was involved in three incidents, with two deaths and one loss.

Time suggests United Airlines higher total can be explained by their larger volume of animals flown, clocking in at 23,204 more pets than the second highest, Alaska.

A United spokesman told Time the airline flighs riskier breeds that other airlines won’t allow onboard.

In fact, many US airlines won’t fly animals at all, including Spirit, Virgin America, Southwest and JetBlue.

The spokesperson said a lot of the deaths were brachycephalic breeds.

“These are dogs that essentially have a very short nose — short muzzles,” he told Time.

“Most other carriers don’t fly those breeds.”

The Acting CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, Kitty Block, told the Washington Post that there is still room for improvement.

“The fact is that while there is some risk with travelling with a brachycephalic breed on a plane, travelling with them in the cabin can be done safely if the right measures are taken by both the owner and the airline,” Block told the Washington Post.

“And that is what we’re asking for — that airlines take steps to reduce the risk of flying with pets, regardless of breed, as much as possible.”

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