One of the most important factors to consider when preparing your pet carrier kennel is the absorbent liner. It is my believe that so many of these incidents are so similar (cat escape) because cats hate to be wet. They will often panic and get loose not to escape the kennel but to get out of a puddle of liquid. Water bowls spill and pets have accidents because they are often in the kennel for extended periods of time without potty breaks. Which makes for a very uncomfortable plane ride with no place to sit or lie down the entire trip.

Below is the NEWEST REPORTS -  Sorry to report CAT / Dog  ESCAPE is STILL the most common incident reported.

INCIDENT #1:

CO Flight #554  Houston to Pittsburgh                            Dog –  Australian Shepherd / 8 years

February  21, 2008                                                                Male/ Name: “Dingo”

Owner/Guardian

REDACTED

Narrative Description:

Description of the Incident:

After removing the animal’s crate from the aircraft in Pittsburgh, Dingo became very scared and was jumping / wiggling inside his crate causing his kennel to roll off the baggage cart (where he was staged).   Upon hitting the ground, the crate popped open and Dingo began running around the tarmac.   After approximately 20-30 minutes, Dingo jumped into the open truck door of the agents chasing him.   His only injury was to the pads of his feet from running on concrete. 
Dingo was immediately taken by his owner to the veterinarian and Continental paid for the initial vet visit and a follow-up.  Dingo has fully recovered and his owner was pleased at how Continental handled the matter.

Description of the Cause of the Incident:

Dingo became scared and toppled his crate off the cart, and upon hitting the ground, his crate door popped open.  

Description of any corrective action taken:

Remind agents downloading animals that they should be placed on the ground until ready to move, and then must be in a PetSafe van or secured in another vehicle where the animal’s crate cannot fall.

ATT: This is the first reporting period (January 2008) with 

NO 

Cat / Dog escapes reported!!!!! GOOD JOB!

Reporting Period: December 1 -31, 2007

Continental Air

January 15, 2008

TOTAL ANIMALS SHPPED DURING REPORTING PERIOD: 10,263

TOTAL REPORTABLE INCIDENTS DURING PERIOD: 1

% OF REPORTABLE INCIDENTS TO ANIMALS HANDLED: 0.01%

INCIDENT #1:

CO Flight #1783 Phoenix to Houston Dog – Corgi Mix / 5 years old

December 5, 2007 Female / Name: "Daisy"

Owner/Guardian REDACTED

Narrative Description:

Description of the Incident:

The animal was tendered in Phoenix and upon aircraft arrival in Houston, the animal had escaped from her crate and jumped from the aircraft when the agents opened the door. Continental agents gave chase and were able to safely capture the animal after a few minutes of running and after it bit 1 Continental employee. The dog’s paw pads were scratched from running on the concrete. The animal was treated at a local vet at Continental’s expense and released to its owner.

Description of the Cause of the Incident:

The crate couldn’t secure the dog that wanted out despite Continental representatives in Phoenix adding zip ties to the crate’s door.

Description of any corrective action taken:

Continental reminded Phoenix agents to take additional care when adding zip ties to a crate that houses an aggressive dog that does not appear acclimated to its crate, to help prevent future escapes.

Live Animal Incident Report - Redacted

Reporting Period: November 1, 2007- November 30, 2007

Carrier

Delta Air Lines

Flight Number

Flight # 1409/30 PHL/SLC

Date and Time of Incident

November 30, 2007 – 1630

Type of Incident

Escape

Description of Animal

Breed: Feline

Age: unknown at this time

Description of the Incident

A kennel containing a live cat was being transported to flight 1409/30. The driver secured kennel before departing the cargo facility. Upon arrival to the departure gate, driver noticed the cat had escaped from the kennel. The cat escaped through top hatch during transport from the cargo facility to the gate area. The kennel did not meet IATA container requirements #1. The kennel did not have a solid roof.

Cause of the Incident

The acceptance of a non-compliant kennel and not securing releasable cable ties to secure the kennel door.

Corrective Action Taken

Cargo and ramp agents conduct search daily. Airport agents notified to keep watch for cat. Station manager contacted customer of incident. Direct follow up with Delta Station Managers at origin which included briefing accepting agents on proper procedures for securing kennel doors and IATA container requirements.

INCIDENT #1:

CO Flight #551 Raleigh- Houston Cat – Domestic Short hair-12yrs old

November 5, 2007 Male / Name: "Scramble"

Owner/Guardian

REDACTED

Narrative Description:

Description of the Incident:

The animal was tendered in Raleigh and was being transported to the aircraft when the crate’s door popped open and the animal escaped.

Description of the Cause of the Incident:

The crate appears to be a cheaper, thinner plastic and did not withstand normal handling. The crate’s door popped open which allowed the animal to escape.

Description of any corrective action taken:

Staff at Raleigh was reprimanded for not applying Continental’s required zip-ties on the door of the crate, per Continental’s policy, which would’ve prevented this escape. The cat’s owner has been flown to back to Raleigh to assist in the search but the cat was not located; however, Continental personnel continue to keep live traps out and near the place of escape in hopes of capturing Scramble. The efforts are on-going.

Carrier:

Comair

Flight Number:

4989

Date and Time of Incident:

10/22/07 / 5:20a.m.

Type of Incident

Escape

Description of Animal

Breed: feline

Age: unknown

 

Description of the Incident

A kennel containing a live cat was being transported to flight 4989. While walking the cat from the operations area to the aircraft, via the ramp, the agent noticed the cat becoming restless and moving about rapidly in the kennel. This agitation appeared to increase as the agent got closer to the aircraft where the APU was running. As the agent approached the aircraft (approximately 4 feet from the belt loader) the cat managed to break open the latch and jumped out of the kennel. Immediately, the cat ran by the First Officer assigned to the flight and ran straight for the runway. At this point the agent realized the cat was not able to be caught and instructed a ramp agent to notify the Lead Agent of the incident. The kennel door was constructed of metal and did meet the IATA container requirements #1. The locking pins were also made of metal and the plastic ty-wraps were secured between the door and the kennel. It appears the cat was able to break the latch from the kennel and force it’s way out through the bottom of the kennel door and escaped.

Cause of the Incident

As the cat was being carried towards the aircraft to be boarded, it became agitated and began scratching and clawing at the kennel, eventually disengaging the latch from the kennel door which allowed the escape.

Corrective Action Taken

A review of policies/procedures and proper inspection of kennels has been sent to all Stations that service Comair flights including MDT. The MDT Station set traps to retrieve the cat but were unsuccessful. Local airport police along with TSA and other airlines that serve the MDT airport were advised of the incident and also were alerted to be on the lookout for the cat. Comair Agents were escorted to remote areas of the airport to search for the cat, but those too, proved to be unsuccessful.

When flight 4068 arrived in PDX the puppy was loose in the cargo compartment. The kennel had been damaged (cracked) allowing the puppy to get out of the kennel. 
Narrative Description of the cause of the incident (if unknown, indicate unknown)____Possibly incorrect baggage and cargo loading in SLC or shifting of baggage and cargo in flight 
Narrative description of any corrective action taken in response to the incident (if none taken, describe reason) _____The puppy was caught and released to owner Pam Stafford. He appeared fine at the time of the release; however, once he arrived home he began to limp and was taken to the vet. An anti-inflammatory drug was prescribed to correct a muscle strain. The damage kennel was replaced This incident was forwarded to the attention of the ramp manager in Salt Lake City for his review and follow up training including memos and briefings for all SLC ramp employees. 

Delta Air Lines

Live Animal Incident Report - Redacted

Reporting Period:  August 1, 2007 – August 31, 2007

Carrier

Delta Air Lines

Flight Number

Flight # DL704 LAX-CVG

Date and Time of Incident

August 23, 2007 - approximately 2200

Type of Incident    Escape

Description of Animal

Breed:  feline

Age: 2yr/5mth

Description of the Incident

A kennel containing a live cat was being transported to flight 704/23. The driver witnessed the cat jumping out of the cart from his mirror. Immediately, driver stopped and attempted to capture but, was unsuccessful.  The kennel door was constructed of plastic and it did not meet the IATA container requirements #1. The locking pins were not made of metal. It appears the cat forced his way out through the bottom of the kennel door and escaped.

Cause of the Incident

Bottom of kennel door was not secured with a releasable cable tie and kennel door was made of plastic.

Corrective Action Taken

Los Angeles Police Department, FAA, TSA, Los Angeles World Airport, and other air carriers were notified to keep watch for the cat.  Daily calls to the local animal shelters, flyers with pictures have been posted and a cage has been set up around the facility with food. A

reminder letter sent system wide concerning proper acceptance and handling procedures. Direct follow up with the Delta Station Manager at origin which included briefing accepting agents on proper procedures for securing kennel doors.

 

 

Carrier:                          Alaska Airlines

Flight:                           235 (SFO/PDX)

Date of incident:            Saturday, August 4, 2007

Time of incident:            Approximately 7:30 P.M. (PT)

Description of animal (including name): 5-year-old, small, long-haired, female Cat, Name: Tiger Lilly (AKA: Baby)

Narrative description of incident: (cat jumped out of kennel during loading process and is still missing in San Francisco) While our SFO ramp vendor was loading kennel onto the aircraft, the cat jumped out of kennel and disappeared onto the tarmac. Ramp personnel were not able to retrieve the cat. The SFO Airfield safety division personnel searched the area and were unable to locate the missing cat.  The passenger was advised of the situation and boarded a flight to Portland, OR. Despite a thorough investigation, we were unable to gather any additional information on how the cat was able to escape from its cage. The passenger was advised that SFO had harm free traps set up in airfield and that they would check the traps each day for her missing cat.  We refunded the passenger’s ticket price ($290.80) as a Customer Service gesture. Owner claims that cat will not come in contact with strangers, the only contact would be with her.  The cat has not been located to date.

Narrative description of the cause of the incident:  A cat was able to get out of its kennel for unknown reasons and could not be retrieved by ramp personnel.

Narrative description of any corrective action taken in response to the incident:

No action required.   

No photographs available

Carrier

Delta Air Lines

Flight Number

Flight # DL152 ATL-TLV

Date and Time of Incident

May 10, 2007 – approximately 2200

Type of Incident

Escape

Description of Animal

Breed: feline

Age: 6yr

Description of the Incident

Passenger was traveling May 10, 2007 ATL-TLV with a cat as checked baggage. The cat was loaded in the bulk hold of the aircraft. When the cargo hold door was opened for final loading the cat had somehow escaped its kennel and darted past the loading agent. An immediate search was conducted by eight ramp agents and the flight crew in attempt to locate and capture the cat, this attempt was unsuccessful. The passenger was notified of the incident and offered the option of temporarily terminating his travel and hotel accommodations until a later date, the passenger elected to continue his travel. The search continued after dispatch of the aircraft and Airport Operations was advised. Kennel was inspected and did meet the IATA container requirements.

Cause of the Incident

Unknown

Corrective Action Taken

Airport Operations and airport tenants advised of the escape and requested to be on the lookout for the escaped cat.

Carrier

Delta Air Lines

Flight Number

Flight # DL1877/28 MIA-GSP

Date and Time of Incident

July 28, 2007 – approximately 0500

August 6, 2007 – approximately 1730

Type of Incident

Escaped / Death

Description of Animal

Breed: Domestic short-haired feline

Age: 8 years

Description of the Incident

Cat accepted in an IATA approved container as a cargo shipment in MIA on July 28, 2007 @ 0417, planned routing MIA-ATL-GSP. Agent arrived gate with cat @ 0445/28. The agent confirmed the cat was still in container and ok before departing gate. At 0505 ramp agent came out to load the aircraft and noticed the cat was not in the kennel. On August 6, 2007 around 5:00 pm Delta Operations received a phone call regarding the status of lost cat. The call made by MDAD stated they had noticed a cat sitting on top of the fence around the perimeter of the airport. MDAD wildlife management, Delta Operations supervisor, MDAD Ramp Security officer all attempted to capture the distressed cat from the outside of the fence to prevent the cat from running into Perimeter Road. The cat became agitated and lunged towards the outside officer, running down the fence line and across the ground. The cat ran across Perimeter Road and in front of an oncoming car, was struck by the car and continued across the roadway into the grass on the other side. Involved personnel drove outside the airport to where the cat was lying in the grass. The cat was not breathing and Wildlife Management officer declared the cat was deceased.

Cause of the Incident

Cause unknown, still investigating

Corrective Action Taken

Station manager conducted a training session with each employee to review the importance of assuring all kennel/container doors are shut, locked and secured with cable release ties.

Priority Pet Incident Report

Type:

Injury

Date/Time of Incident:

March 20, 2007, approx. 6:00pm Central Time

Location:

MSP

Routing:

NW #312 LAX-MSP

NW #626 MSP-IAD

AWB:

Not applicable

Shipper / Owner / Guardian:

Consignee:

Not applicable

Description of Animal:

Cat

Description of Incident:

Cat escaped from its kennel while in transit. Animal was easily captured upon arrival into MSP and placed in a loaner kennel. Cat had a scratch on its face.

Cause of the Incident:

Cat was accepted in a collapsible kennel contrary to NW policy. The top of the kennel was open on arrival. No secondary kennel door ties were present.

Corrective Action Taken:

Staff review: Pet acceptance procedures and acceptable kennel standards were reviewed at LAX staff meetings with front-line agents.

Prepared by:

Steve Mahon

Senior Specialist – Customer Service Standards

Ph: 612-726-6960

E-mail: stephen.mahon@nwa.com

Filed on behalf of NW by:

A kennel containing a live cat was being offloaded from the cargo hold of the aircraft. While traveling down the conveyor an agent witnessed the cat reaching out with its paws from the side of the kennel door. The cat was able to force his way between the kennel door and side of the kennel and escaped onto the ramp. Immediate attempts to capture the cat were unsuccessful.

Direct follow up with the Delta Station Manager at the origin which included accepting agent on proper procedures for securing kennel doors and verify correct assembly of the kennel.

Narrative Description:

On December 28, 2006 passenger checked a cat in a kennel on Lufthansa Airlines from Manchester England to Munich with a connection to United’s flight 903 to Washington Dulles. On arrival in Dulles the kennel door was ajar and the kennel was empty. The aircraft hold was checked as was adjoining areas of the aircraft. Further attempts to locate the cat on the airport grounds were ongoing. The cat was discovered on the same aircraft, on January 16, 2007 in Denver. The cat was immediately taken to a veterinarian hospital where she was treated for dehydration and released and delivered to the owner.

The kennel was in good condition and it cannot be determined when the kennel door became ajar.

United procedures were followed and we continued in our efforts to locate the cat. Upon locating the cat we immediately provided care by taking the cat to a veterinarian. We are examining and analyzing our hold configuration and will implement any changes deemed necessary resulting from the analysis

Pinnacle Airlines, Inc.

NW5963

4/7/06

SGF

1 pound, 8 week old Chihuahua

Type of Incident (check applicable):

___Death ___Escape ___Loss ___Injury _X_Other, specify:Pet arrived sick at station_____________

Narrative Description: Description of the Incident:

Dog escaped kennel upon arrival in Houston (IAH).  

Description of the Cause of the Incident: