Vivi's breeder, Bo Bengtson, sends this on:
<<SHIPPING DOGS: “SECURITY CHECKS” PROVIDE “NEW” RISK?
The following recent experience exposed an obvious risk in shipping dogs and other pets and could, I hope, be used as a catalyst for change and new federal regulations in how animals are treated while in transit.
On Friday, Feb. 2, 2007, I went to LAX to ship a Whippet puppy to Florida. It was the first time since Vivi’s disappearance almost exactly a year ago that I shipped a dog, which only affects the following in so far as I was pretty nervous about the experience and had spent a lot of time preparing for it. We had several plastic “zip-ties” to secure the crate and signs with the dog’s name, “DO NOT OPEN!” etc. The puppy, Griffin, is a nearly six-month-old son of Vivi’s older half brother, Chili.
I chose American Airlines because their web site impressed me as being very sensible and dog-friendly with a lot of specific information. Griffin was booked on non-stop flight AA262 departing at 9:25 PM and arriving in Fort Lauderdale at 5:10 AM local time. He was shipped Priority Parcel, which meant that we had to bring him to the AA baggage area at LAX. The airline staff was very helpful and considerate; they actually remembered the Vivi incident even though that involved another airline and a different airport.
With the crate checked and approved, and all paperwork done, we secured the gate with the zip-ties. Griffin was totally unconcerned and only focused on playing with his chew toy. Having paid the shipping charge we saw the crate being loaded on a cart and wheeled out; we were ready to leave the building when — by pure chance and because the cargo employee with the cart returned to the front desk — we overheard him saying that “Security wants to open the crate again.”
Obviously airport security staff works independenly from the airlines, and obviously they have the right to inspect any piece of luggage as they feel is necessary at any time. Reasoning with an unsmiling security officer exercising her authority was useless. The upshot was that the zip-ties had to be cut, the gate opened and Griffin taken out of the crate while the officer inspected the crate. Since I could hold the puppy in my arms, all went well – in spite of the fact that the inspection took place in an open building, with hundreds of passengers milling about, less than six feet from an open door with very heavy traffic outside. Any dog who ran out that door would unquestionably be killed by traffic in a matter of minutes.
I still get weak at the knees thinking about what could have happened if we had not been present. Certainly none of the security staff had any dog experience whatsoever; Griffin would have wriggled in their arms and tried to lick their faces; if they had dropped him they would not have had any idea how to catch him again. (Everyone who knows him is aware that he’d come to anyone who showed him a treat!)
It is appalling that living animals are not treated differently than other cargo in this respect. Quite obviously, from every point of view, it would make sense that security should check crates BEFORE they are closed by the airline staff at check-in, and that no crate containing a live animal should ever be opened unless it is inside a closed room and the owner (or at the very least an experienced animal handler) is present. Once the crate has been inspected, a sticker or plastic seal should be placed on the gate indicating that it cannot be opened again while in transit.
With the above in mind, it’s actually surprising that not more pets are lost at airports. Many dogs are nervous while being shipped and would bolt at the first opportunity to get out of the crate. A scared dog might bite a security officer, who then most likely would let the dog go.
There has been much discussion about whether it’s safer to leave a collar on a dog being shipped or not. While I agree that there is a small risk that the collar could get stuck in something during the flight, I now feel that it’s probably safer to leave it on, since this would at least increase the dog’s risks of not getting loose if it’s taken out of its crate after check-in.
We will never know whether it was a last-minute security inspection of Vivi’s crate what forced her to get out of her crate and eventually get lost. It is certain, however, that a new federal regulation needs to be introduced to prevent similar occurrences from happening again.
Griffin got to Florida safe and sound, not in the least upset by his experience. However, I urge anyone with contacts in the right places to help us push for a change in the federal regulations for how live animals in transit are treated by airport staff.
Thanks for your patience!
Bo Bengtson>>
Comments (14)
Unbelievable - OK Team Vivi - how do we go about getting some of Bo's ideas into action - I agree with once the crate is closed - it should have a seal and not be opened again except by the owner or person in charge of the animal. This is probably the reason why Vivi got out - the last person checking her didn't close the crate securely or she got out while they were checking. Why different agencies don't work together is beyond me.
It's amazing that this could have happened again to one of Bo's dogs. Once the crate has been inspected and closed, it's got to have some kind of seal on it so it can't be opened again and have another dog escape.
Airport inspections who inspect the pets stinks!! Why do they wanted to inspected it again and again AFTER it was ALREADY INSPECTED!??? Stupid security!
But for a good reason-TERRORISM.
And it will be a good idea that they should checked it once and when it is passed, tagged on saying (INSPECTED ALREADY...PLEASE DO NOT OPEN AGAIN!!)
If they wanted to inspect it again after they read it so clearly, it is not needed at all.
And 2nd, it is a good idea for the owner to be there in a room that have the door closed so the pets will not to be out of the room.)
And also to prove the paper works was approved, done and inspected.
By the cargo areas, all the crates SHOULD NEVER BE OPENED AGAIN! EVER!
My feeling about Vivi is what caused her to escaped because of the idiot security or someone else opened without using their own BRAINS!!
In the future I hope they never do that methods again like they did to many lost pets.
Looks at the cat who was in her cage for 3 weeks!??
What's wrong with them!?? Unfeeling, uncaring people at airports who ignore the poor, freightened pets!??
Thank God Bo's puppy got home safely! whew!!
And thank God for Bo being there to keep poor Griffin safe in his arms while the idiot security inspected again! UGH!!
I think they are overracted and very paranoid people. Sorry it's long but I wanted to voiced my thoughts! :-)
Someone needs to come up with some new systems/procedures to ensure the traveling animal's safety and at the same time comply with security requirements. Yes! Opening a crate door in a closed room is a must!
LADIES PRAYERS NEEDED!
Darlene e-mailed Betty and I, Nicole is taking her little Lil to the vet with a problem with her left lung. You've always been supportive of owners and their sick babies, so let's lift these two in your prayers.
There is a candle site (of course) at www.gratefulness.com Group:Lil
Healing and transforming God, your love knows no boundaries, and in your sight every life is precious; look with compassion on Lil,and make us your agents of healing in a broken world.Father be present with this your creature. Bless Lil and Nicole who cares for her, now and always. Amen.
(combo of two prayers from Belief.net-- an awesome site if you can't find the words---and even if you can!)
PAULA, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!
Psalm 104
Bless the LORD, my soul!
LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
You are clothed with majesty and glory,
robed in light as with a cloak.
You spread out the heavens like a tent;
you raised your palace upon the waters.
You make the clouds your chariot;
you travel on the wings of the wind.
You make the winds your messengers;
flaming fire, your ministers.
Father Creator, You are wonderful, Your people know Your might and Your power and we praise You! We love
You! You who have power over heaven and earth, send us milder weather, and protect Vivi, Hopey, and Bailey in this brutal cold! We have literally thousands of candles, which dim in the light of You, loving Father! Light Vivi (and Hopey, and Bailey's) way home to their families. Send them to our NYC foot soldiers! Heal our many ill ones-Spit, Cubby, and today we added LIL. We lift our intentions in praise and confidence to You--In Jesus' name.
Father,continue Your watch over Vivi,Max,Hopey,Axel,Bowdee,Ticket,Saffie,Zoey,Vern, PA bullie girl, the show babies, Butttons,Biggie,Sniffles,Holly, African Grey, Faithful (the little girl's seizure dog),Shimi, Yorkie, Black Afghan, Buddy, Rags, Precious, Whippet Annie, so that not even "one paw slips". Show them to the volunteer of Your choice so that they may return to their earthly families. Surprise us by sending Vivi home to a volunteer (Kathy from Bayside,Rosa,Tina,Gail T,Bonnie,Diane T.,Diane K-M,Darlene,Debbie,Monica,Lois T.,Nancy M,Barbara Jean,Linda S. and her husband Mike, or Renee? Margot or Irene?)
Many of us also have animals which need Your healing touch. Keep Daisy safe during her spaying.Great Physician we lift to you for your healing Homer, Mercy,Spit, Dante, Terrie's dog Cubby, G's kitty,Debbie's Fluffy, Ruby's Mr. Peabody, Briar and Sabrina Skittles, Barney, Tara, Joey,Meeko,Skeeter,Andi,Sparky,Scout,Dodge, Auggie,Billy,Ezme,Clarus,Star,Doogie, CJ,Felice, Max, Little McGee, Murphy, Mylie,Gunner, Linus, Kiva, Ellie,(restore all that had to be taken), Morgan, Little Andi, Nicki, Dude, Tucker, Brandy, Lexie, Isabella, Twin Kittens, Bowen, and Heather.Enfold all of us in Your healing embrace.
We thank you for healing Maureen, and Zipper!! Thank Your for the improvement in Gail's Dude.Thank You for Isabella's improving health!Thank You for McGee's weight gain.
We are frail Father and many of us need Your healing so that we can serve the purpose for which You have created us.
We lift up the following people in need of Your healing:Madison,"J"., Kathleen,Joe V.,Terrie,Amanda, Rosa C. Kathleen's Mom Mary, Renee, Pam,Millicent, Jacque, JL, Lance, Chris,and Abby.
God of Power, stand behind Tammie and Doogie, Duke and Denise, and Otis' followers,and now Boston, as they have stood behind these animals, until justice is done.Thank you for Ruby, and all the bloggers who bring these animals to our attention.Thank you so much for helping us find a good home for Homer (with Nancy) Kristy,Tashia,and Pablo,all 11 doxies and the Halloween bunch !Thank You, Ginger the Persian found a home!!!Thanks for Duke's and Bobbie's new homes. Take gentle care with Anne who has Alzheimers, and was the doxie's former mom.
Welcome all those who make the journey to Paradise, tonight, and comfort their families.Let their animal companions greet them at the gates of heaven.Comfort the families of Smitty, and Barbaro. Let Barbaro and Pia run with the wind that is You. Let Smitty sleep at Your feet until Heaven is home. Let Cody sleep at your feet until heaven becomes home.
Give blessings to all who have done Your work. Reward our faithful animal companions who have gone ahead. Let all who are homeless know Your love, and ours, too.
Send your angels and saints to work with Vivi's angels. These NYC volunteers, and their leaders;Tina,Rosa,and Bonnie, serve as Your compassionate presence on earth. Don't let them become discouraged. Let them know that prayer wise "we've got their back"!
Irregardless of its expression,Let our faith grow as a result of this experience! Restore as we sleep, Heavenly Father, as we turn over the night watch to you! YOU ARE IN CHARGE! AMEN!
Candles? http://www.gratefulness.org
SHARON (MI) Thank you for sending me a belated birthday.
And keep up with the wonderful prayers.
Enjoy your evening!! :-)
someone who knows how to start a drive to change a regulation for animals being shipped should start one and then get others to sign the paper and get involved. I don't know how to do this so, I'm asking for help.
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