Airline bans pit bulls from cargo travel

Airline cargo ban for pit bulls, Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers

Readers should note that as result of strong protest from animal rights organizations, this airline ban Against certain breeds, started in 2002, was lifted in 2004. American Airlines now requires holding cages for dogs to meet certain specified requirements, particularly in terms of the strength of the latch that holds the front door of the cage closed. This article remains posted on this website because of the initial interest the story generated amongst dog owners and animal rights activists.

As of August 2002, owners of certain breeds will unable to ship these dogs in cargo for transport to their destination. The breeds blacklisted include pitbulls, Rottweilers and Dobermans pinschers, and any other dog that exhibits aggressive behavior.

This policy change came about as result of chewing damage caused by a pit bull after it escaped from its cage in the cargo area on a July, 2002 flight from San Diego to New York. According to airline officials, after the plane landed, ground crews discovered the pit bull running loose in the cargo area, and found destruction to the cargo hold door, a hole chewed in the bulkhead, and a garden size electrical cable chewed through. During the flight, the back up the radio and some navigational equipment stopped working, and subsequently the plane was put out of commission for repairs for nine days.

People opposing the ban says the problem was due to the crate the dog was placed in, and not the dog, and that American should upgrade standards for the crates people use for transport in cargo rather than banning certain breeds. in a letter to America Airlines, The American Kennel Club called the airlines new policy an overreaction, and ignores the fact that aggressive or dangerous behavior is not breed-specific.