A San Francisco man filed a lawsuit against Alaska Airlines , claiming that the airline's negligence led to the death of his 3-year-old French bulldog after he was asked to move from first-class to coach on a flight from New York to San Francisco.
According to the complaint, Contillo had purchased a first-class ticket specifically to provide Ash with more space and to minimize his exposure to other passengers during a flight from New York to San Francisco on February 1, NBC News reported.
Contillo, however, alleges that he was asked to move from first-class to coach, which caused Ash to become distressed and led to health complications that ultimately resulted in the dog's death. The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco County Superior Court on October 16, accuses Alaska Airlines of breach of contract, negligence, negligent hiring and supervision, and negligent infliction of emotional distress . Contillo is seeking punitive damages, which will be determined at trial.
According to the complaint, Contillo had previously traveled from San Francisco to New York with his father and two French bulldogs, Ash and Kora, in November 2023. During that trip, they flew first-class without any issues, and both dogs arrived safely in New York. The lawsuit states that both dogs were healthy during their stay in New York, and Contillo even took them to a veterinary hospital for a check-up before their return flight to ensure they were fit for travel.
"The Vet confirmed that both dogs were healthy and would be safe to take a cross-country flight," the suit said.
However, shortly before takeoff, an Alaska Airlines flight attendant and another unidentified male employee asked Contillo and his father to move to aisle 11 for safety reasons. Contillo explained that moving the dogs before takeoff would be "extremely dangerous," as they were currently calm but would become anxious and excited if moved, potentially leading to severe breathing and heart problems.
"To move the dogs now would make them very anxious and excited, which would lead to extremely dangerous breathing and heart problems. This change could be lethal for a dog, especially right before you change altitudes," the suit said.
On February 1, Contillo and his father travelled back to SFO Airport, along with the two dogs. Contillo had purchased two first-class tickets with his father to “ensure that the dogs had more space and that they would be able to board the flight early.”
The suit said that he followed Alaska Airlines’ policy, reserving both in cabin dogs ahead of the flight by calling and reserving the first-class space, paying an additional $100 per dog at the airport, and transporting the dogs in carriers compliant with size requirements, NBC News reported.
However, shortly before take off, “an Alaska Airlines flight attendant and another unknown male employee of Alaska Airlines asked the Plaintiff and his father to move to aisle 11 of the Plane for safety purposes,” the complaint said.
Contillo explained that moving the dogs before takeoff would be “extremely dangerous for the dogs,” noting that they were “calm at the moment” but “would not be calm anymore now that the plane was full of people.”
When Contillo and his father deboarded at San Francisco International Airport, they discovered that Ash's body was in complete rigor mortis, indicating that the dog had been dead for several hours during the five-hour flight. The complaint states that Contillo and his father "confirmed that Ash was indeed dead and immediately started to weep."
The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that short-nosed breeds, such as French bulldogs, are more susceptible to respiratory issues and have a higher risk of dying on airplanes compared to dogs with normal-length muzzles. The organization recommends that these breeds be kept in the passenger cabin.
According to the lawsuit, the crew and pilot showed no sympathy or compassion for Contillo's loss. As of the filing date, Contillo claims he has not heard from any Alaska Airlines representative regarding the death of his dog, who was described as "like a son to his owner, who did not have children of his own."
"Because of the unjustifiable move, the Plaintiff's dog Ash died. Alaska Airlines employees should have known the requirements needed to avoid that happening," the filing claimed.
According to the complaint, Contillo had purchased a first-class ticket specifically to provide Ash with more space and to minimize his exposure to other passengers during a flight from New York to San Francisco on February 1, NBC News reported.
Contillo, however, alleges that he was asked to move from first-class to coach, which caused Ash to become distressed and led to health complications that ultimately resulted in the dog's death. The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco County Superior Court on October 16, accuses Alaska Airlines of breach of contract, negligence, negligent hiring and supervision, and negligent infliction of emotional distress . Contillo is seeking punitive damages, which will be determined at trial.
According to the complaint, Contillo had previously traveled from San Francisco to New York with his father and two French bulldogs, Ash and Kora, in November 2023. During that trip, they flew first-class without any issues, and both dogs arrived safely in New York. The lawsuit states that both dogs were healthy during their stay in New York, and Contillo even took them to a veterinary hospital for a check-up before their return flight to ensure they were fit for travel.
"The Vet confirmed that both dogs were healthy and would be safe to take a cross-country flight," the suit said.
However, shortly before takeoff, an Alaska Airlines flight attendant and another unidentified male employee asked Contillo and his father to move to aisle 11 for safety reasons. Contillo explained that moving the dogs before takeoff would be "extremely dangerous," as they were currently calm but would become anxious and excited if moved, potentially leading to severe breathing and heart problems.
"To move the dogs now would make them very anxious and excited, which would lead to extremely dangerous breathing and heart problems. This change could be lethal for a dog, especially right before you change altitudes," the suit said.
On February 1, Contillo and his father travelled back to SFO Airport, along with the two dogs. Contillo had purchased two first-class tickets with his father to “ensure that the dogs had more space and that they would be able to board the flight early.”
The suit said that he followed Alaska Airlines’ policy, reserving both in cabin dogs ahead of the flight by calling and reserving the first-class space, paying an additional $100 per dog at the airport, and transporting the dogs in carriers compliant with size requirements, NBC News reported.
However, shortly before take off, “an Alaska Airlines flight attendant and another unknown male employee of Alaska Airlines asked the Plaintiff and his father to move to aisle 11 of the Plane for safety purposes,” the complaint said.
Contillo explained that moving the dogs before takeoff would be “extremely dangerous for the dogs,” noting that they were “calm at the moment” but “would not be calm anymore now that the plane was full of people.”
When Contillo and his father deboarded at San Francisco International Airport, they discovered that Ash's body was in complete rigor mortis, indicating that the dog had been dead for several hours during the five-hour flight. The complaint states that Contillo and his father "confirmed that Ash was indeed dead and immediately started to weep."
The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that short-nosed breeds, such as French bulldogs, are more susceptible to respiratory issues and have a higher risk of dying on airplanes compared to dogs with normal-length muzzles. The organization recommends that these breeds be kept in the passenger cabin.
According to the lawsuit, the crew and pilot showed no sympathy or compassion for Contillo's loss. As of the filing date, Contillo claims he has not heard from any Alaska Airlines representative regarding the death of his dog, who was described as "like a son to his owner, who did not have children of his own."
"Because of the unjustifiable move, the Plaintiff's dog Ash died. Alaska Airlines employees should have known the requirements needed to avoid that happening," the filing claimed.
You may also like
Eight B'desh nationals held in Tripura for illegally entering India
Rita Ora 'over the moon' as she's announced as host for MTV's Europe Music Awards
"Double standard, doglapan...": Indian envoy Sanjay Verma on Canadian agency publishing report tracking Indian journos, media organisaitons
Government scheme: This post office scheme is offering 7.4 percent interest rate
K'taka bypolls: Congress fields Yasir Khan Pathan in Shiggaon
