A man from San Francisco has filed a lawsuit against Alaska Airlines, claiming that negligence resulted in the death of his cherished 3-year-old French bulldog after he was requested to switch from first class to coach during a flight from New York to San Francisco.
Michael Contillo stated that he bought a first-class ticket to provide his dog, Ash, with extra room and to minimize interactions with other passengers on the flight on February 1. Contillo’s transition to a coaching role reportedly triggered anxiety in Ash, resulting in health complications that ultimately led to the dog’s passing, according to the complaint.
A legal action was initiated on October 16 in the Superior Court of San Francisco County against Alaska Airlines, claiming breach of contract, negligence, negligent hiring and supervision, as well as negligent infliction of emotional distress. The pursuit of punitive damages will be established during the trial proceedings.
According to the complaint, Contillo journeyed from San Francisco to New York in November, accompanied by his father and two French bulldogs named Ash and Kora. The journey was smooth, with first-class travel ensuring comfort, and both French bulldogs made it to New York without any issues, as reported.
The complaint states that both dogs were in good health while in New York, and that the plaintiff visited a veterinary hospital to ensure the bulldogs were fit for their return flight to San Francisco.
“The veterinarian assured that both dogs were in good health and would be fit for a cross-country flight,” the complaint states.
On February 1, Contillo and his father made their way back to San Francisco International Airport, accompanied by their two dogs. Contillo bought two first-class tickets alongside his father to guarantee the dogs had extra room and could board the flight ahead of time, according to the lawsuit.
The complaint states that he adhered to Alaska Airlines’ regulations by booking both in-cabin dogs prior to the flight, securing first-class accommodations through a phone call, paying an extra $100 for each dog at the airport, and ensuring the dogs were transported in carriers that met the size specifications.
According to reports, they were first positioned in the fourth row.
Just prior to departure, “an Alaska Airlines flight attendant along with another unidentified male employee of Alaska Airlines requested that the Plaintiff and his father relocate to aisle 11 of the Plane for safety reasons,” according to the complaint.
Contillo stated that relocating the dogs prior to departure would pose significant risks to their safety, emphasizing that while they were currently at ease, the presence of passengers on the plane would likely disrupt their calmness, according to the lawsuit.
“Relocating the dogs at this time would cause them significant anxiety and excitement, potentially resulting in serious breathing and heart issues.” This alteration may pose a serious risk to a dog, particularly just before ascending to a higher elevation,” it states.
The suit claims that the new seats assigned to Contillo and his father were situated nearer to a larger crowd and provided less room for the dogs to breathe. It claims that the staff “overlooked all that was communicated” and states that Contillo eventually adhered.
Ash began to breathe rapidly and heavily, clearly showing signs of anxiety. The lawsuit claims that Contillo was directed to shut down the carrier, which he did, but he observed that Ash “ceased moving” and was unable to check on him until a specific altitude was attained.
When Contillo and his father arrived in San Francisco, Ash’s body had already entered full rigor mortis, according to the complaint.
At the time the lawsuit was filed, Contillo stated that he had not received any communication from an airline representative regarding the passing of his dog, who was referred to as “like a son to his owner, who did not have children of his own,” according to the complaint.