Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY) introduced a bill Thursday that would ban pets from airplanes’ overhead compartments. The legislation is in response to the death of a dog March 12 on a United Airlines flight after the owner was instructed to put the canine in the overhead compartment.
The dog, Kokito, was put into the compartment because his container was blocking the aisle. The airline claimed the flight attendant did not hear Kokito’s owner say there was an animal in the container. Criminal charges may be filed.
The bill, Planes Ensuring Total Safety (PETS) Act, would not only require the Federal Aviation Administration to ban pets from flying in overhead compartments, it also would institute fines for airlines that fail to comply.
“Dogs, cats, and other animals should never be placed in overhead bins on aircraft,” Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), co-sponsor of the bill, said. “Often times these animals are considered members of one’s family and to jeopardize their health, safety, and ultimately their lives should be prohibited. It is astonishing that we have to pass a law to stop this from happening, it should be common sense.”
PETS has a companion bill, Welfare Of Our Furry Friends Act (WOOFF), in the Senate introduced by Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA).