Report Details

CO Flight #739 Houston - San Diego Dog - English Bulldog / 4 yrs. old September 22, 2007 Male / Name: “Loki”

Owner/Guardian

REDACTED

Narrative Description: Description of the Incident: The animal was tendered in Houston for a non-stop flight, and upon arrival into San Diego, the animal was deceased in his crate.

Description of the Cause of the Incident: The Bulldog was tendered at 8:25am in Houston in the mild temperatures of late September, transported in an air-conditioned van to the aircraft and placed in the cargo hold of the aircraft where temperatures remained at approximately 50-70degrees while in flight. According to the necropsy report, “Widespread visceral congestion is taken as evidence of acute cardiovascular collapse; however, the underlying cause is not apparent.” The necropsy diagnosis was, “possible heat stroke or aspiration of vomitus”.

Description of any corrective action taken: None. The animal’s death was most likely a result of the inherent problems of this breed when they are stressed or over excited and the difficulty they have breathing / panting and expelling heat. As environmental conditions in this case were ideal during transport, there is no evidence that the animal’s death was transit related.