Report Details

INCIDENT #1: CO Flight #1010 Houston to Newark Dog – Golden Retriever / 5 yrs old June 10, 2009 Male / Name: “Max”

Owner/Guardian REDACTED

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION

Description of the Incident: Max, a 5 yr old Golden Retriever resides with the owner’s minor son in West Jordan, UT. The son and dog were traveling to Toronto. On a flight from Houston to Newark, the Golden Retriever, “Max”, was deceased upon arrival into Newark at 10:34pm.

Description of the Cause of the Incident: A necropsy was performed at Continental’s expense and the pathologist noted that “the findings were inconclusive” but that they noted that Max had “…mild right atrial and pulmonic valve dilatation”… which “may have caused cardiac compromise under stressful circumstances”. Two Veterinarians analyzing the necropsy agreed that the dog had the “beginnings of heart disease in that he had heart valvular defects that compromised cardiac function during the stress of transport.” Max was watered and observed in Houston prior to departure and was standing up in his crate and appeared normal. All normal precautions and policies were followed in Houston.

Description of any corrective action taken: None. The death of this pet appears to contributed to a pre-existing condition and not transit related.