Traveling with dogs across countries and continents can be very complicated and difficult. However, no one expected that their dog would board a flight and not survive seeing it land.
July 2022, three dogs died over a two-week period while traveling on organized flights United States Air Force Air Mobility Command (AMC). AMC issued a sincere apology and promised to change their shipping process, but the heartbreaking family of these dogs wanted more.
The tragic story of Kolbie
Kolbie is a 10-year-old Pomeranian mix, beloved by a family of Marines. On July 1, 2022, he died of heatstroke on a Patriot Express flight across Japan.
Kolbie’s mother, Amber, shared in detail the horrifying story of her dog’s death on Facebook (you can read the full story here). here if you can get past it.) Part of her post describes the last day the family saw their dog alive as they traveled through Japan with AMC.
During a temporary stay in Yokota, Japan, Amber writes:
“Air Force personnel said we could get him out and free him and then we could do it again before they put him on the plane. He’s in an open garage with only a single fan… it’s 100°. We asked if we could get him into the station as it is air conditioned and they told us no that animals are not allowed. We can relieve them at the pet shelter in front of the building and give them food and water but they are not allowed in the building. Thinking they had the best interest and this was their job, we trusted and listened. “
“Right there, right outside our plane door, I fell, sobbing and having trouble breathing[e]. How, how could anything happen to him!? He’s my baby and best friend and I need him. I would never travel to another country without him. He’s the reason I know I’ll be fine. He helped calm me down. He is my right hand man, always by my side. Why!? Why is he being taken away from me, why right now!? It was not his moment. What happened!?”
Changes must be made
The Air Force investigation found no signs of negligence related to Kolbie’s death. However, since that flight on July 1, two more pets on Patriot Express flights have died.
On July 14, 2022, AMC shared about another dog’s death on Facebook:
“As we investigated what happened, we were able to confirm that the pet was in the air-conditioned terminal space for the entire pet transit except for the ten-minute period. when the crates are loaded onto the plane. During this loading, an Airman employee noticed the dog was no longer breathing and initiated emergency procedures to quickly unload the crate and notify the veterinarian directly. The Air Mobility Squadron immediately informed and comforted the family, and ensured that the pet’s remains would be delivered to their final destination.”
Leave No Paws Behind USA, a nonprofit that helps military families with the logistics of transporting their pets, expressed outrage at the military’s handling of these dead dog cases.
“Military families have to carry out orders within a certain period of time. During this time, they have to move house, get their kids ready for a new school, sell their car or put it in storage, and then get ready to live out of their suitcases for weeks, even months in some cases. Pets are not in the sights of the military the way they should be. The family pet is PART of our military family. Accountability needs to be taken, policies need to change,” the organization wrote On Facebook.
In her Facebook post, Amber frankly asked the Air Force to change and take responsibility:
“Air Mobility Command in Yokata, Japan. I’m calling you out to make a change. Take into account more than just a routine and schedule that you strive to maintain. Kolbie is his name and you will remember his story. Every time an animal is loaded out there. Every time a family trusts you with their bonus membership. Every time you put those hairy family members on a plane, you’ll think about him, you’ll think about what you’ve done, and you’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again. “
AMC . response and protection
General Michael Minihan, commander of the Air Mobility Command unit, shared a statement on Twitter on Friday, July 15. In this statement, Minihan acknowledged the deaths occurred on flights. flying Patriot Express is “unacceptable.”
“As a pet owner with five trips abroad, I am acutely aware of the risks, costs, and extreme anxiety when it comes to these important members of our family,” the photo reads. His letter opens.
Minihan’s letter goes on to say that the Air Force will incorporate the proposed changes to prevent further tragedies.
“AMC is reviewing every aspect of Patriot Express’s pet travel, including holdings beyond our responsibility, to further enhance pet safety. We will hold ourselves accountable to a high standard and will positively influence every service agency involved in the pet advocacy business,” the letter reads.
According to Minihan’s statement, AMC has shipped nearly 46,000 pets to service members since 2017. During those five years, 16 dogs died in transit, 14 of which had flat faces. , “brachycephalic“Like the dog that died on July 14th.
RELATED: 12 Dog Breeds At Higher Than Average Risk for Heatstroke
While the Air Force works to improve transportation processes, Minihan’s letter emphasizes the importance of considering travel risks by age and breed.
“It is imperative that you understand that the procedure we are improving cannot completely reduce the risks associated with certain health, breed and sedation challenges.”
However, Amber takes issue with that part of the statement because Kolbie is not a brachycephalic dog. She feels AMC bears some of the responsibility for what happened to her dog.
“I will not be silent. I won’t let this go. You will make changes and adjustments to ensure that you have done everything in your power to not let this happen again. He will not die for nothing and will not be a thing that gets swept under the rug. He means too much to me for that to happen.”
What can be done now?
Amber herself suggested some necessary changes:
“This is what I am proposing to our Congressional Inquiry: A room to be built or designated for families traveling with animals and also a pet shelter to be built at every Military facilities transporting live goods. I asked that this room be dedicated to Kolbie’s memory. “
Some of what she suggested was considered. As Minhan’s letter adds:
“We made immediate improvements such as increasing owner access to pets during transit, resting comfortably, allowing pets into climate-controlled terminals, and Cooling of cargo holds between loading and unloading. We will make further improvements as the review is complete. “
Ultimately, military families that rely on their dogs for support just want these puppies to be seen as important family members.
“We recognize pets as a deeply important part of many families’ lives, and we take seriously our responsibility to transport them safely when they are in our care,” the letter said. by Minihan confirmed.
