Hello everyone,
Thanks to your support for this petition, and the international media attention that followed, Qantas has released a media statement including plans to re-evaluate their current standards and introduce additional precautions for the transport of ‘snub-nosed’ breeds, including boxers, bulldogs and pugs.
I am pleased that Qantas are re-evaluating their current standards however I am very disappointed that their plans do not properly address or resolve the issue that led to Duke’s death, or the other two dogs that have died since and they do not include additional precautions for non-snub nosed breeds. My response to the Qantas media release follows:
1. The owners of the third dog to die (last week) used a registered animal shipping company so this suggestion from Qantas is already flawed. These companies cannot control the loading phase and what happens out on the tarmac. Qantas alone is responsible for this.
2. A longer-term ‘review’ of airport equipment to provide further tarmac protection is welcome, but a little ambiguous. Pet lovers need a guarantee that their pets are protected NOW.
3. Qantas says they will be ‘reinforcing’ existing procedures to minimise the time animals are required to spend on the tarmac. This is also welcome - Duke’s death was caused by excessive time on the hot tarmac, which was against accepted safety standards for any breed. However, this is again ambiguous. Reinforcing? Shouldn’t Qantas staff already be following ‘existing’ procedures to minimise tarmac time? What is the airline doing about this?
4. A vet check clearing snub-nosed dogs prior to travel will do nothing to prevent these or any other breed from becoming critically overheated if they are left on the tarmac, in the heat, without shade, for an extended period of time.
I would like to see Qantas introduce the additional precautions:
1. Training for all staff - what is heat exhaustion/overheating, how does it affect dogs (and other animals), how quickly can it occur, how to recognise the signs and what to do if dogs display signs of overheating.
2. When animals are scheduled for a flight, a dedicated, properly trainied baggage handler should be given responsibility for the animals. This person will make sure all animals are accounted for once received from the freight office, kept in a cool place while waiting to be boarded (preferably a temperature controlled, quiet room close by), ensure water containers remain filled, transport all animals to plane once all other luggage/items have been loaded (last on), and then load animals with assistance.
3. On arrival, a dedicated baggage handler takes responsibility for unloading animals (first off) with assistance. Animals should be taken directly to freight office whilst other baggage handlers continue to remove luggage.
Please, Qantas. We don’t want PR spin. We want you to treat our pets like precious cargo, which is what they are. #JusticeForDuke
Never giving up,
Kay Newman