Air Transport for English Bulldogs Carries Higher Death Rates

Posted by Travel Sentry

Thanks to the Wall Street Journal blog, The Middle Seat, I learned about a very odd statistic. There seems to be a higher than normal death rate for English Bulldogs who are transported by commercial airlines. Looking further, air transport seems fraught with danger not only for bulldogs, but for "other short-nosed, known as brachycephalic, breeds such as Boston terriers, boxers and pugs," as well.

According to an August 2005 story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “many airlines refuse to carry [short-nosed dogs] during the summer because the higher temperatures make it harder for such animals to breathe.”

Being an avid dog lover, I found the information extremely valuable for other owners who fly with their dogs. Just look at that sweet mug. It is easy to see how the respiratory channels may be challenged.

Every month the Department of Transportation issues a consumer report that includes data on everything from baggage mishandled to on-time arrivals, delays and also a section on dead pets.

According to The Middle Seat each injury, loss or death of any pet is cited with a description of the breed and a description of what could be determined visually upon arrival.

Here are a few examples from the blog:

For example, take the saga of Katya, a cat who managed to escape from her kennel while traveling on Northwest from Seattle to Chicago’s O’Hare: “Passenger checked four cats in four kennels. On arrival one kennel was empty. Cat was found later same day at SEA airport and returned to owner next day 07Aug2008. Owner reported Katya had cut lip, chipped tooth and grease on back.”

Other stories, such as the tale of Bradley, an English bulldog, don’t have such happy endings. On Oct. 13, Bradley was traveling with his owners on United Flight 87 from Los Angeles to Honolulu. Alas, Bradley never made it to paradise — at least not on earth. The dog “was discovered deceased upon arrival of aircraft. No signs of distress on the animal and kennel was intact,” the report said.

Bradley’s passing rang a bell. In July, another bulldog expired during an Alaska Airlines flight from Reagan National to LAX. “This appears to be a natural death,” read the report. “There is no evidence to suggest that the airline’s handling contributed to the animal’s condition in any way.” Then, in May, a three-year-old “English Bulldog Mixed” was found dead on arrival at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport after being unloaded from a Continental flight. “He may have gotten excited during transportation causing him to become dyspneic resulting in a cardiovascular collapse,” the report said. That same month, still another English bulldog was found dead after being unloaded from cargo on United flight from LAX to Boston’s Logan.

More English bulldogs died during flights in March and in October and November 2007. In the latter case, a 14-month-old “Bulldog Terrier” was found dead after a Delta flight from Atlanta to Buffalo, N.Y. “Autopsy report indicates the dog had a preexisting heart condition. The stress of the flight possibly caused his death,” the report said. (Between October 2007 and October 2008 — the last month for which data is available — 30 pets were reported to have died in transit. So by our count, bulldogs alone, represented at least 23% of the deceased.)

For more information on traveling with your pet, check out this site from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Thanks for the warning and information!