Dog found dead in carrier during Delta Air Lines layover

The dog’s owner is reported to suspect foul play

Stock image of a Pomeranian dog (istock/Getty Images)

An eight-year-old Pomeranian dog was found dead in its carrier during a layover at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, en route from Phoenix to Newark, New Jersey last Wednesday.

Delta Air Lines, the operator, is reported to be thoroughly investigating the incident.

The dog, named Alejandro, who was being held in a carrier in a cargo facility, was reported to have been checked on and alive at 6am when the layover period began, according to a lawyer representing the dog’s owner, Michael Dellegrazie. When he was checked on again between 8am and 8.30am, airline officials made the grisly discovery.

CNN reported that a Delta spokesperson said that the animal was found with vomit and fluids in the carrier.

Dellegrazie told CNN that he believed some sort of foul play may have been involved and that he wanted answers.

In a statement, Delta said:

“Pets are important members of the family and we are focused on the wellbeing of all animals we transport. Delta is conducting a thorough review of the situation to ensure this does not happen again and have been working directly with Alejandro’s family to support them however we can.

“As part of that review, Delta offered to have Alejandro evaluated by a veterinarian while in our possession to find out more about why this may have occurred. We are disappointed that we were not allowed to have a necropsy performed immediately following this unfortunate situation. The family now has Alejandro and we continue to offer our support.“

This is not the first time animals have been harmed in transit on airline flights. In March this year, a 10-month-old puppy died on a United Airlines flight after an attendant allegedly forced the owners to put it in an overhead bin, despite guidance stating that the animal should be placed under the seat of the passenger in front.

In 2017, US airlines transported over half a million pets. Of these, 24 died, 15 were injured and one was lost, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Transportation.