United Airlines under scrutiny following dog's death and second dog mix-up

United Airlines under scrutiny following dog’s death and second dog mix-up

United Airlines is facing criticism after a dog died on a 3 1/2-hour flight and accidently shipping another dog to Japan. 10-month old Kokito the French bull dog was on his way to La Guardia from Houston when Sophia Robeldo said the flight attendant made her place him in the overhead bin.

When the family arrived to their destination Kokito was found dead.

Robeldo said she told the flight attendant her dog was in the carrier but the flight attendant claimed she didn’t know. United Airlines released a statement regarding the incident:

"This was a tragic accident that should never have occurred, as pets should never be placed in the overhead bin. We assume full responsibility for this tragedy and express our deepest condolences to the family and are committed to supporting them."

The incident outraged fellow dog owners alike at the Austin Bergstrom-International Airport.

"I would advocate for my pet if someone told me to put my dog up above I’d say I’m sorry and in that case I would walk off the plane my dog would be first," said Kimberly Wright a pet owner traveling to El Paso, Texas.

The incident has brought upon a new policy for United Airlines. The carrier will begin placing brightly covered tags on bags that contain pets and has prompted two U.S senators to propose legislation prohibiting placing animals in overhead bins.