WASHINGTON — A United Airlines flyer is going public after paying nearly $700 for a special pet safety flying program and arriving at her destination to find her dog in full heat stroke, soaked in blood and defecating and urinating blood.
Janet Sinclair, of Arlington, Va., tells WTOP she chose United Airlines Pet Safe Program for her greyhound, Sedona, and cat, Alika, when she moved from San Diego to Boston over the summer. The program promised the pets would not be in temperatures exceeding 85 degrees or lower than 45 degrees for more than 45 minutes, and that during a 3-hour layover in Houston, the pets would be taken off the plane and kept in an air-conditioned van.
However, while on layover, Sinclair saw out her plane window as the dog’s crate was removed and held on Houston’s 96 degree tarmac and the dog’s handler kicked the crate six times. She filmed the assault.
Sedona survived the 15-hour ordeal, but required three days in a veterinary ICU, which cost $2,700. The airline offered to pay for her veterinary bills if she signed a non-disclosure agreement to not share her story. She declined. United didn’t pay.
Sinclair’s experience is not unique. She has created a Facebook page to raise awareness for her story and offer a place where others can share their stories.
WTOP’s Lori Lundin has the story. Listen below for more details.
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