[ad_1]
A grieving healthcare worker is blaming Southwest Airlines for the death of her dog, which she used to help comfort COVID-19 patients.
The woman, only identified as Courtney, told TMZ that her 3-year-old French bulldog Charlie wasn’t able to breathe in his carrier during a flight to Pennsylvania last month.
Courtney — an X-ray technician who traveled around the country to help COVID patients with the support of the dog — told the outlet that Charlie started having trouble during the second leg of their Dec. 21 trip. When she tried to open his carrier, a flight attendant refused to allow it and threatened to turn the plane around, she reportedly claimed.
Courtney believes that the dog suffered heatstroke and a seizure during the flight and alleged that Southwest staff “let him die,” TMZ said. A necropsy has not been done on the pooch, the outlet said.
Charlie’s distraught owner is now planning to sue the airline over the loss of her dog and for her pain and suffering, TMZ said. Courtney also wants the flight attendant who allegedly refused to help her fired, the article said. Southwest only offered to refund her tickets after the flight, according to the report.
A lawyer for Courtney said Southwest should have done more to accommodate the canine.
“Once again the airlines have not taken our four-legged family members into account,” attorney Evan Oshan said. “Charlie was a paying passenger and desired to be allowed to breathe.”
The airline issued a statement to the outlet saying it is “disheartened to learn about the passing of this Customer’s pet.
“Tens of thousands of Customers travel with cats and dogs every month on Southwest. While onboard the aircraft, pets must remain in their well-ventilated carriers at all times for the comfort and safety of fellow Customers,” Southwest said.
[ad_2]