Whatever the condition of the 14 dogs when they were locked in the hold of a passenger airplane early in August, rather than explanations and cover up stories, the sad event could provide an impetus to improve the conditions and safety of animals traveling in airplane holds. The fact that several "causes" are being considered and investigated -- ranging from heat stroke to carbon monoxide poisoning -- indicates reason for concern that knowledge about conditions in the hold during flight actually is quite limited.

In this petition I am not seeking punishment of the particular airline nor any of it's personnel, nor of the shipper of the puppies. Neither am I interested in expressing any opinion on any value of any procedure toward establishing responsibility, payment of so-called "reparations;" nor of explaining away any problem by claiming that the animals were unfit to travel in an airplane‘s hold, and so forth. After all, no-one can know how many deaths or illnesses of transported pets have occurred over time without such wide publicity, probably because not so many died on one flight; or because so many people became involved after the landing, including medical professionals.

 I recognize the need for all relevant powers actively to create, and enforce, and to publicize as soon as possible, improved ways and means to prevent any harm or suffering to any live animals in any form of transport. This petition, however, concentrates only on increasing the comfort and safety of pets transported in the hold of an airplane. How such protection actually is to be established remains for capable, competent, and responsible people to develop and implement. The responsibility for overseeing and ensuring that such protection is provided as soon as possible must be accepted by those to whom this petition is directed. They must enforce the creation, installation, and maintenance of that protection.

I have just two general suggestions. Ideally, I believe an airlines employee should travel in the hold with the animals to monitor and control the air pressure, oxygen level, air purity from any gases harmful by inhalation and/or hazardous through flammability My guess is that this monitor could be valuable to the safety of all onboard the plane.

The person in the hold should have two-way communication in order to report and receive any needed advice and guidance from appropriate people above, and also should have the equipment, resources, and ability to rectify many possible foreseeable problems as well as others perhaps not foreseen.

I am totally ignorant of what plans the airlines always have maintained for saving and comforting "hold animals" in case of emergency. I presume procedures are refreshed and honed periodically by simulated practice by all personnel. Surely those plans also should be re-evaluated along with other plans for protections. A person in the hold could no doubt be of enormous assistance in rescuing the caged animals.

The second type of change that I want to suggest is the provision of devices to measure conditions in the hold that could be monitored in the cabin. Probably the airlines could learn a lot from hospitals and their monitoring systems. Further, with our incredible technology, some sorts of possible problems might be correctable remotely -- at least such simple but vital conditions as temperature or oxygen levels. Perhaps some sort of back-up systems could be switched on for certain problems. Even the sort of T.V. monitors used so widely in business could be used to check on the animals visually. And maybe the owners could be allowed to take a look at their animal companion and be reassured that she or he or neither is a happy traveler. There are so many innovations possible if one is willing to think a little, or maybe brainstorm with colleagues. If I, knowing absolutely nothing of technology can think of such things, surely people with training and aptitude could think up much more.

Of course, any change whatsoever will cost money. Well, such transportation of pets already carries a fee. Further let me point out that since the widely spread news coverage of this disaster, probably many more people will no longer travel with pets; therefore many of them will not travel at all, recreationally, at least. Airlines, who have already been at risk financially for a long time will lose some cash flow from human passenger fares as well as from their pets. I have heard several pet owners say recently that now they definitely never would put their pets in the hold. So, all the airlines are going to lose a lot from this tragic event, IF they do not do something to turn it to their advantage.

With major, serious and realistic improvements to provide more comfort as well as increased safety for their pets, some passengers, human and animal, may be attracted to give it a try. Numerous people who previously would not fly because they did not want to put their pet(s) in the hold may become "Frequent Flyers!" So with installation of significant safety features the airlines industry might actually be able to create some gain in their incomes.

Finally, a last vital consideration: would pet monkeys in the hold be allowed to have peanuts?

Peace, etc., Bruce Combs