JetBlue Saves French Bulldog Mid-Air With Oxygen Mask Setting an Example for Airlines That Mistreat Animals
The dog initially started showing signs of distress and then had difficulty breathing.
After a number of incidents involving mistreatment of animals, there is finally a great news where airlines acted rightly on time. A French bulldog Darcy was on a flight from Florida to Massachusetts with its humans Michelle and Steven Burt when she started showing signs of distress.
ABC News reported that the dog's tongue began to turn blue and was having difficulty breathing. The vigilant flight crew was quick to step into action with an oxygen mask. Darcy was suffering from hypoxia, lack of oxygen in the body.
Michelle took to Facebook saying, "We all are affected by cabin pressure and oxygen fluctuations, human, canine and feline, etc., but the fact that the Attendants were responsive and attentive to the situation may have saved Darcy’s life."
She said, "I placed the mask over her face, and within a few minutes she became alert and after a short time she didn’t want the mask. I believe [crew members] Renaud and Diane saved a life, some may reduce the value of the life because Darcy is a canine. I do not."
Michelle thanked the JetBlue crew for their quick action that saved their pet. JetBlue released a statement about the incident stating that it could have been dangerous had flight crew not reacted. French bulldogs are banned from flying in cargo holds by many airlines because of their respiratory issues.
French bulldogs often have respiratory problems as they are classified as short-nosed dogs, or brachycephalic. Their short noses put at them at a higher risk for breathing problems when flying as they are more vulnerable to changes in air quality and temperature says AVMA.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 09, 2018 11:40 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).