Barbara Listenik, a pet advocate was interviewed on Good Morning America, Thursday, April 6, 2000, after the airlines had lost her dog Boris for six and a half weeks due to careless error. Ms. Listenik claims that after Boris was finally retrieved, the airline offered to pay for his medical expenses. But once they found out that surgery was required to bring her pup back to health, and that the treatment was in excess of $3,000.00, they claimed to have no responsibility. Boris was found emaciated, with several bruises around his mouth, and also had sustained some internal injury. Pets are considered luggage and airlines typically take the position that they are not liable for any damage or loss of luggage. Any of you who have traveled and lost luggage can attest to this. If the airlines lose your belongings, it is your own insurance that helps you to recover any loss.
The new law requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to work with the airlines to improve employee training with regard to handling the animals. Airlines will have to submit monthly reports to the DOT on animals that are lost, injured or killed and this information will be published by the DOT. Additionally the airlines will have to notify passengers about the conditions in which animals travel. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals scores this a big victory for animals that must travel by air. The concern however is that some airlines may now refuse to air transport animals. This will remain to be seen. So travelers beware and investigate the new reports by the DOT before you decided to put your pets on the plane. Their safety is in your hands.
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