Another tragic dog death dog occurred on an airline, but this time it was during a layover.
Michael Dellegrazie and his girlfriend moved across country, from Phoenix to New Jersey. Their dog, a Pomeranian named Alejandro, flew in the the cargo hold of a Delta airplane last week, with the couple waiting to pick him up on the East coast.
During the flight there was a layover in the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. It was during this time, something went horribly wrong. Alejandro was discovered dead in his carrier at the cargo facility.
Alejandro
Related: What Owners Need to Do to Keep Their Dog Safe While Flying on an Airplane
I want to know what happened,” Dellegrazie told ABC News. “The dog is not a pet. He’s a member of our family.”
Delta issued a statement stating the company is looking into the matter.
“We know pets are an important member of the family and we are focused on the well-being of all animals we transport,” it reads. “Delta is conducting a thorough review of the situation and have been working directly with Alejandro’s family to support them however we can. As part of that review, we want to find out more about why this may have occurred to ensure it doesn’t happen again and we have offered to have Alejandro evaluated by a veterinarian to learn more.”
Related: The Pet Polices of Top Airlines You Need to Know About
Last year, 24 animals died on U.S. airlines, with two dying on Delta airlines.
This is just the latest dog death making headlines this year. In March, a French bulldog named Kokito died after a flight attendant allegedly told her owner she must put the dog in the overhead compartment during the flight. (The airline now bans 21 breeds from its airlines.)
For Alejandro, there is an ongoing investigation, with the couple hiring attorney, Evan Oshan (who also represented Kokito’s owner).
Dellagrazie just wants answers, saying that Alejandro, “was in their care, and they didn’t take care of him.”
