Report Details

Description of the Incident: Animal was decease inside his kennel upon arrival of the aircraft at Portland, Oregon, aboard non-stop flight from Newark.

Description of the Cause of the Incident: Customer admitted that the animal was ill with heart problems and that the Shipper had sedated the animal prior to tendering it to Continental by giving it an over-the-counter (human) allergy medication. The Shipper also falsely signed Continental’s acceptance document which states that the “animal has not been sedated”. Customer refused to allow Continental Airlines to perform a necropsy and no claim was filed.

Description of any corrective action taken: Continental’s policy, based on Veterinarian recommendation, is not to accept any animal that it knows has been sedated, and that policy will continue.