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Dog Dies after United Flight Attendant Forces Family to Store Pet in Overhead Bin

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Warning: This post contains graphic photos.

Traveling with pets has become more and more common, especially with emotional support animals.

It is always hard to leave furry family members behind when the rest of the family goes on a trip.

But one airline tragedy might have pet owners thinking twice about bringing their companions with them.

On Monday night, a dog died on a United Airlines flight after the flight attendant forced the family to put the dog in an overhead compartment.

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June Lara wrote about the ordeal on Facebook, saying that the little 10-month-old Frenchie bulldog reminded him of his own dog, Winston.

According to Lara, the dog’s family was a young mother with her toddler and young daughter who couldn’t be older than eight.

“However, the flight attendants of flight UA1284 felt that the innocent animal was better off crammed inside the overhead container without air and water.”

The flight attendant forced the poor dog up into the overhead compartment because the bag was sticking out into the aisle.

The puppy’s cries could be heard during the flight until he ran out of breath.


“There was no sound as we landed and opened his kennel. There was no movement as his family called his name,” Lara said.

“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.”

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Another passenger, Maggie Gremminger, wrote on Twitter that she is “disgusted and traumatized” by the tragedy.

“At the end of the flight, the woman found her dog, deceased. She sat in the airplane aisle on the floor crying, and all of surrounding passengers were utterly stunned.”

United Airlines spokesman Charlie Hobart has since released a statement about the accident.

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

Our hearts go out to the poor family of this beloved dog and hope this never happens again.

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Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. A University of Oregon graduate, Erin has conducted research in data journalism and contributed to various publications as a writer and editor.
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. She grew up in San Diego, California, proceeding to attend the University of Oregon and graduate with honors holding a degree in journalism. During her time in Oregon, Erin was an associate editor for Ethos Magazine and a freelance writer for Eugene Magazine. She has conducted research in data journalism, which has been published in the book “Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future.” Erin is an avid runner with a heart for encouraging young girls and has served as a coach for the organization Girls on the Run. As a writer and editor, Erin strives to promote social dialogue and tell the story of those around her.
Birthplace
Tucson, Arizona
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated with Honors
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Oregon
Books Written
Contributor for Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future
Location
Prescott, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English, French
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Health, Entertainment, Faith




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