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Delta Airlines: Take Responsibility for Lost Dogs
  1. Signatures
    2,217 out of 2,500
    Petitioning
    1. CEO, Delta Airlines (Richard H. Anderson)
  2. Created By
    Stephanie Feldstein
    Ypsilanti, MI
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

Update: In December 2010, Delta lost yet another dog. This time, a German Shepherd mix named Nala was being flown to Germany. During her layover in Atlanta, the airlines called the owner, saying she was trying to break out of her crate so they wanted to keep her overnight. The next day, they suddenly couldn't find the owner's number once Nala escaped. She was found dead along the highway about a week later. "It is really hard for me to believe their story," said the owner. But, like the others, she hasn't been able to receive any answers from Delta.

Update: In November 2010, more problems were reported with Delta transporting dogs. While flying a family's two dogs from Germany to Washington state, via Atlanta, one died en route and the other was "misrouted" several times before finally being reunited with her family.

The fact that Delta could so egregiously mishandle a dog after the loss of her companion and all the publicity around the other cases of incompetent animal transport shows that they are not committed to safe pet travel. Delta Airlines needs to investigate these cases, as well as conduct a review to update their policies and procedures around animal transport.

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In May 2010, Delta Airlines lost a dog who had been rescued in Mexico and was on his way to his new home in Canada. After giving the owners the run-around, they refunded the pet fee in the form of a $200 voucher. After public outrage, they offered more airline vouchers and reimbursement for what the couple had spent on vet care in Mexico. The dog has not been found, and Delta hasn't offered help to the rescue groups on-the-ground who are still looking for him.

In June 2010, a week after sending two kids to the wrong cities, they flew a puppy to California who was supposed to be headed for Maine. Again, Delta has not been forthcoming with information on what happened, whether the puppy - who was diagnosed by a vet with dehydration and pneumonia - received any care or attention from staff, how the mistake happened, and whether they'll compensate the owner in any reasonable way.

It is unacceptable for Delta Airlines to be so careless when transporting live animals. There's no amount of money - or airline vouchers - that can make up for a lost pet. Tell Delta to launch an internal investigation on what went wrong and how they will prevent it from happening again in the future.

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Please Prevent Any More Lost Dogs on Delta Flights

Dear Mr. Anderson

In November 2010, a military family from Washington state was flying their pets back from Germany on Delta Airlines. Despite following your guidelines, one dog died en route. In light of this tragedy, I would expect every consideration to be taken to ensure a smooth reunion with the family and their remaining dog. Yet, Lola was repeatedly misrouted and it took four more flights for her to get home.

In May 2010, a dog named Paco was supposed to be on a Delta Airlines flight from Mexico City to Detroit. He never made it on the flight and, over a month later, still hasn't been found. In mid-June 2010, a puppy who was supposed to be on a flight from Atlanta to Portland, Maine, ended up in San Jose, California instead. He was flown back across the country once the mistake was discovered, but arrived in need of vet care.

Despite these high-profile cases, yet another dog escaped Delta's care in Atlanta in December. She was found dead by the highway.

These types of mistakes put lives at risk. There is no amount of compensation that can replace a lost pet; the best thing Delta Airlines can do to reassure customers that you've taken these situations seriously is to launch an internal investigation into what went wrong and how you can prevent it from happening again.

It's not just animals. In June, several news outlets reported that two children had been sent to the wrong cities. This level of disorganization and incompetence is dangerous, and leaves flyers with a lack of confidence in their own safety when flying Delta and in the competency of the airline.

I am joining the Change.org community in calling on you to take immediate steps to ensure that pets are never lost again by Delta Airlines. I urge you to not only investigate these cases, but to review your current policies and procedures regarding pet travel and to implement any necessary updates as soon as possible.

Please show Delta customers that you take their concerns seriously.

[Your name]

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