Report Details

Carrier: American Airlines

Flight Number: 102

Date & Time of Incident: 05/20/2021 12:00 AM

Type of Incident: Death

Description of Animal: Breed: Great Dane

Animal Name: Maximus

Description of Incident: On Thursday, May 20, 2021, 16:15 HST, one Great Dane dog (Maximus), one Domestic Short Hair cat (Mavis), and one Guinea Pig (Spicy), were dropped off by a representative of Island Pet Movers, at the American Airlines Cargo Facility in Honolulu, HI (HNL), for air transport under air waybill 001-50955262. They were scheduled to travel to Miami, FL (MIA), with a connection in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (DFW), flights AA0102/20-May HNL-DFW (etd 20:15 eta 08:49) and AA2550/22-May DFW-MIA (etd 10:55 eta 14:43). At approximately 15:49 (CDT), notification was received that Maximus was in distress, with labored breathing and transported to the Animal Emergency Hospital of North Texas in Grapevine, TX for immediate medical attention. It was determined that Maximus had suffered a heat stroke and was in critical condition. The owner was notified, and a ticket was purchased for the owner to travel to Dallas-Fort Worth, TX to be with Maximus while at the Animal Emergency Hospital. Prior to his arrival, Maximus passed away. The owner was transported to Animal Emergency Hospital of North Texas to see Maximus, he declined a necropsy and authorized cremation.

Cause of Incident: - Maximus was facing the back of the kennel at the time of drop-off in the cargo facility in HNL. He does not appear to have ever turned around, since upon arrival in DFW he was still found to be facing the same direction. This also suggests impeded access to his water bowl. - The kennel was of an improper size. The kennel size should include room for the occupant to stand up and move around. However, per the measurements of the kennel the height was determined to be insufficient. - There was not sufficient ventilation. It is recommended that kennels have one end open with bars, welded mesh or smooth expanded metal securely fixed to the kennel. In addition, our research showed that the flight from HNL took a three-hour delay, during which time the cargo hold was ventilated. Temperatures were found to be within acceptable range for safe transport. Maximus was traveling along with another dog on the same flight, who encountered the same conditions and arrived in DFW without incident.

Corrective Action Taken: