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Watchdog barks back at pet ban

THE GLOBE AND MAIL
Apr 05, 2008
Megan Grittani-Livingston

Air Canada told it must allow animals to fly in cargo hold on domestic flights

Air Canada will have to reverse its policy banning small pets from the cargo holds of its domestic flights, according to a ruling by a federal watchdog.

Acting on a complaint from dog owner Peter Griffiths, the Canadian Transportation Agency yesterday ruled Air Canada's decision last year to stop carrying animals in carriers under 70 pounds with checked baggage on its domestic and international flights was "unreasonable" because the policy gave advantages to the company while posing significant problems for pet owners.

Due to industry regulations, the agency was able to block the policy from being implemented on Air Canada's international flights last July, four days before it was to take effect. But the tribunal had to research the formal complaint before ruling against the policy for flights within Canada. The airline has until May 5 to comply.

"The agency found that there was an imbalance between the interests of Air Canada and [those of] the consumers, and ... it appeared that only advantages would have been given to the air carrier, while the other party [pet owners] would encounter many significant disadvantages," agency representative Jadrino Huot said.

An Air Canada representative yesterday said the airline had no comment. "We are currently reviewing the decision."

The airline had argued it would need to stop carrying animals with checked baggage to ensure the proper handling of both luggage and pets, in light of having more baggage and security concerns to deal with.

When pets were not allowed in the baggage compartment on domestic flights, Air Canada transported them using its cargo service. But that option was unacceptable for many pet owners who didn't want to be separated from their "four-legged family members," said Marko Kulik, the Montreal-based co-owner and administrator of a website dedicated to pet discussions and tips that gets more than 7,500 hits each day.

He said many of his site's users "were totally unhappy with Air Canada's decision last year. They were looking for alternative methods [of travel] right away, as soon as they heard that this was a possibility."

Mr. Kulik said yesterday's decision was a good business move for Air Canada.

"I'm happy that they're being forced to do it, and I think it's doing a good service to their passengers," he said.

The new policy followed Air Canada's 2006 decision to ban pets other than service animals from plane cabins, citing allergy concerns. Animal policies in other airlines vary, but WestJet still allows small pets in kennels to fly in cabins with their owners.

Michael O'Sullivan, executive director of the Humane Society of Canada, said he strongly recommends leaving pets at home when flying, as checked baggage is the only option. "Unless there was absolutely no alternative, I would never send an animal with checked baggage under any circumstances," he said. "The potential for problems and screw-ups is just far too great; the animal passes through too many hands."

He said he travelled from Orlando to Toronto with a Shih Tzu puppy under the seat in front of him on an Air Canada flight two years ago, and the dog didn't have any problems. Though Mr. O'Sullivan said he sympathizes with concerns about allergens, he believes that so few animals need to fly that it's not a major problem.

But Mr. Kulik said he thinks sending pets with checked baggage is a fair compromise.

Darren Jakubec, a B.C. doctor whose dog died of carbon-monoxide poisoning while on an Air Canada flight, said he supports the agency's ruling, as long as the government will enforce regulations to make sure the pets are safe. He said the decision is "excellent ... it puts the ball back in [Air Canada's] court to solve the problem."

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