Puppy Dies on United Flight After Attendant Insists on Stowing in Overhead Compartment

Another tragic incident for United Airline's over-worked PR department.

Tragedy has struck a passenger aboard a United flight when she realised her puppy had died after being forced to place the bulldog in the cabin's overhead compartment 

A United flight attendant insisted that the dog be placed in the overhead compartment despite the airline's policy stating that it should be under the seat. The passenger was allegedly told that if she did not comply, she would not be able to remain on the flight.

A spokeswoman for United released a statement explaining that United takes full responsibility.

"This was a tragic accident that should never have occurred, as pets should never be placed in the overhead bin," the United spokeswoman said.

"We assume full responsibility for this tragedy and express our deepest condolences to the family and are committed to supporting them."

While the puppy's cause of death still remains unclear at this point, it's understood that the breed, French bulldog or pug, requires extra ventilation due to their restricted breathing. This may not have been available in the overhead compartment.

It's not the first time that United Airlines have been involved in a PR disaster. The flight company made headlines last year after a passenger was brutally removed from a plane to make space for a staff member.

Since then, a spate of stories about the mishandling (sometimes resulting in death) of pets has plagued the airline. Last year, a world-record holding rabbit tragically died while being transported from a United flight to their pet-care facility.

A few months later, United placed ScHoolboy Q's pooch on the wrong flight. 

Photo: iStock.com/Meinzahn