United Airlines faces animal cruelty investigation following death of dog on flight

The airline has implemented a new pet categorisation method in response

United Airlines is facing an animal cruelty investigation following the death of Kokito (Instagram)

A criminal investigation could be opened into the death of a 10-month-old French bulldog puppy on a United Airlines flight, which was found dead after being put into an overhead bin at the request of a flight attendant.

The Harris County Animal Cruelty Task Force in Texas is investigating the matter, and charges could be filed based on the findings of the investigation, according to the District Attorney.

A spokesperson for the District Attorney’s Office told The Independent: “The Animal Cruelty Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office is working with law enforcement partners on the Harris County Animal Cruelty Taskforce to investigate this incident. After law enforcement concludes their investigation, we will review their findings and make an appropriate decision based on the applicable law and facts.

“At this time, no charges have been filed and our office will not make any charging decisions until the investigation is complete. All criminal charges are based on probable cause and, as always, we will conduct a thorough analysis of the investigative findings before making a charging decision. We’ll review the evidence and apply the law.”

The “disgraceful” death of Kokito the dog also prompted US Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana to take action.

The senator sent a letter to United’s president, demanding an investigation into all animal deaths and injuries with the airline, which read: “I write to demand an immediate explanation for the number of animals who have died recently in United Airlines’ care.

“According to the US Department of Transportation, 18 of the 24 animals who died in major US airlines’ care last year were in the care of United. Another 13 animals in United’s care suffered injuries last year. For comparison, Delta and American each reported two animal deaths.

“This pattern of animal deaths and injuries is simply inexcusable. For many people, pets are members of the family. They should not be treated like insignificant cargo. Frankly, they shouldn’t be placed in the cargo hold much less an overhead bin,” Senator Kennedy concluded.

Mr Kennedy will also introduce a bill banning pets in overhead bins.

“I don’t particularly like having to legislate common decency, but I am going to do it,” he told CNN.

A legal analyst told Good Morning America the incident could be deemed negligence if it is proven that the flight attendant failed to show a proper duty of care.

According to Kokito the dog’s family, the dog was held in an airline-approved pet carrier and the family paid the required $125 pet fee for each flight.

The family also insists they informed the flight attendant there was a dog in the carrier, which has been confirmed by other passengers.

Despite this, the dog was forced into an overhead bin by a flight attendant, who claims not to have known there was a dog in the carrier, where he later died.

In a statement to Eyewitness News, United said: “The customer did tell the flight attendant that there was a dog in the carrier. However, our flight attendant did not hear or understand her, and did not knowingly place the dog in the overhead bin.”

The airline has offered to reimburse the family for their flight and the pet fee, as well as for an autopsy.

In addition, the airline has announced they will be implementing a new method of pet categorisation which will see bright coloured tags placed on luggage carrying pets - which is expected to take effect by April.

In the past, damages in animal-related cases were typically for the monetary amount of the animal.