One Puppy Survives Freezing Flight

Unfuckingbelievable. Fucking assholes.

That is all.

Well you could also try not transporting puppies in the middle of winter...I guess...

Dead puppies aren't much fun.

They don't come when you call, they don't chase sticks at all.

But not for felixthecat!

For all of you who are assuming the owners are cruel to take the puppies away from their mother at a young age and were from a puppy mill – you are wrong. I know the owners. The puppies were a gift and the article is wrong. They’re not 6 weeks but almost 8 weeks old. They were actually the puppies from a dog that the family (that they were visiting) had for a long time. These dogs were given shots and taken to the vet many times in order to get the proper documentation for the puppies to board the plane. When the owners went to check in for the flight, they bought tickets for the puppies expecting the puppies to be on their laps during the flight. It was the AIRLINE that told them no, they have to go in the cargo. The airline refused to let the puppies be with the owners.

I’m not saying that animal cruelty doesn’t happen… Just not in this case. It was the airline’s fault for misplacing live cargo. IF they allowed the owners to carry it on the flight, this wouldn’t have happened.

When the owners went to check in for the flight, they bought tickets for the puppies expecting the puppies to be on their laps during the flight."

On their laps? Are you saying the owners didn't have a carrier for the puppies? I thought all commercial airlines require carriers which are also supposed to go under the seat during the flight.

Why didn't these people neuter their dog instead of breeding her? shame.

Um Felix, Girls do not get neutered, they get spayed, SHAME!!! BAD ACTIVIST, BAD!!!!

I would not blame the owners as much as the people that think living creatures can stand the conditions boxes and other cargo stands, in this case the direct responsible was the airline, but as an owner i would not pay for a pet ticket and be OK with boxing the pet and sending it to the luggage compartment. Puppies (yes believe it or not they are still fragile) are definetly not "cargo" material in scientific terms.

Perhaps human judgment about the "value" of life is not beyond nature.

Well, they weren't okay but the airline gave them no other choice. It was either to abandon the puppies or listen to the airline. The airline assured that the puppies would be safe there.

In some countries, neutering dogs isn't as highly supported as they are here. If you have a dog, it's considered a blessing. It's hard to find dogs that aren't strays. Usually the owners take care of the dog and they want to continue the so called legacy of the dog. So if the dog has puppies, they give it away as a gift to relatives as part of a custom.

Yo might want to let these people know that they're "morons" with "FAT ASSES." Or so it says above.

That puppy is adorable. I hope he gets raised well by owners mindful of how lucky they are they got to keep this little guy.

STFU with all this compassion bullshyt.. lol why is everybody arguing over NONSENSE? 1 dog died! oh no! jeez.

Well, no. Not ONE dog... it could be any animal that is traveling with family or is being sent somewhere. The airline is at fault.

what is the bullshit in compassion? dare to elaborate?

what i meant was getting worked up over this talk about being compassionate is bs. This dog clearly died by accident or by incompetence and it wasnt intentional. these arguments have nothing to do with the article so im calling it nonsense and bs. like seriously, what r u guys arguing about?

Most people will react to a loss of life due to negligence. Nothing weird here. What is weird is to expect people to think your ONE WAY: YOURS, because in your opinion people should not pay attention to the "accidental" death of an innocent being.

when did i say people shouldn't pay attention to accidental death? lol. u must be crazy

I'm SO SORRY that you are a broken person. It sucks not being able to love, huh?

I'm SO SORRY that you have so much love and compassion for 1 puppy that is 6 months old, that came from a puppy mill in Mexico City, that you don't even know! It sucks to love and care about such useless and unimportant nonsense huh?

I am so sorry that you are so uneducated and empty that you believe a life can be useless. and the puppy is 6 weeks not 6 months. go on with your important stuff such as your 40 ounce.

WHATEVER. I'm sorry if i offended you in any way Felix.

No, you didn't offend me but it does disappoint me that people don't respect other species' lives. I don't expect everyone to love animals as much as I do but I wish that they didn't Hate them. Why hate animal when they did no one any harm. Anyhow, my temper is high today so I signing off. Compassion is the only way that People as well as animals will have peace on this earth. Until them, we will have war, violence, corruption etc. I'm sorry if I offend you as well.

OK, people, felixthecat is absolutely right.

The fact that these 6-week old pups were in the cargo hold DOES mean they were from puppy mills because:

1) no responsible breeder sends an animal in the cargo hold of a plane. responsible breeders require interviews and home visits before they give you a dog. therefore, responsible breeders send a courier who takes the animals in the cabin or have the future owners come pick the puppy up.

2) since 6-week old puppies, regardless of breed ARE small enough to go in the cabin, the only way somebody WOULD put them in cargo is if they are a puppy mill. my Mom brought our boxer over from Russia (not a decision I support but whatever) when she was 8 weeks old and she was still small enough to go in the cabin. I could see it be more ambiguous if these were full-grown dogs who weren't allowed in the cabin, but these are small puppies.

To answer a more important question, however: Why were these animals treated this way by the airlines?

Under Bush, the USDA dropped specific temperature requirements (i.e. "no lower than 45F for 1 hour") for animals undergoing transport. As you can imagine, this was pushed through by the farm lobby but affects ALL animals. Right now, the regulations only speak of a reasonableness standard: the temperature and length of exposure has to be "reasonable" for the kind of animal it is. Airlines who treat animals better than this (not allowing them to be transported during certain times of year because of cold/heat; creating special climate-controlled animal transport holds) are doing it out of the goodness of their own hearts, NOT because of regulation.

Thank you and please continue yelling.

Thanks for defining a "responsible" breeder. Many people are increasingly aware that chain pet stores get their dogs from crappy puppy mills (regardless of what they say), but not many people know how to choose a private breeder. You're correct in saying that no *reputable* breeder would send an animal in the cargo hold of a plane and that responsible breeders ALSO require interviews and home visits prior to the purchase. However, not many people know this and possibly even more don't know that the breeders who do ship usually tranquilize the animal prior to shipping it. (I remember one clueless new owner saying that her puppy was very "tired" from his flight.)

It's fairly common now for people to use the internet when selecting their puppy from some breeder's site. However, the best way to purchase a purebreed (if that's what you want) is to contact the local dog club for that particular breed and ask them for recommendations for reputable, honest breeders. You really have to do your homework if you don't want to purchase a dog with potential health problems or a one with phony pedigree papers. There are a lot of rip-off artists out there because puppy breeding can be a very lucrative business for the unscrupulous. Like anything else, it's always important to be an intelligent consumer when purchasing a puppy.

just_saying, I wasn't defending breeders. I was simply describing facts. I think it is inexcusable to purchase an animal when so many perish in shelters, regardless of who you get it from. A friend recently bought two kittens from a very responsible breeder, I still asked him where he wanted his two dead cats from the shelter.

So Spirit of 76, I do agree with felix. But just because I happen to oppose an institution of purebred dog-farming (let's call it what it is) in all its forms, doesn't mean that I can't recognize those who do it in more responsible ways than others.

I understand. While there are many desirable dogs available for adoption, some people will always prefer to adopt a purebreed, because they either show dogs or only want a specific breed. I just didn't want anyone to adopt from an irresponsible breeder because a lot of people don't know how to select a breeder.

Frankly, if I wanted a dog for myself, I would go to http://www.petfinder.com/index.html and select one of their homeless dogs. (And petfinder does have many purebreeds if you're looking for a particular breed.)

If that's the case, then you're contradicting yourself. Felix equates purebreds with the murder of shelter animals. Would you say of people who murder humans that some are more "responsible" than others?

Actually, Felix disagrees with you vehemently because to him, there's no such thing as a "responsible breeder." If you're not adopting from a shelter, you're a terrible, terrible person who will incur his psychotic wrath.

thanks for your detailed factual explanation.

Today has been a banner day on Gothamist. There are two articles that have the potential to break a certain commenter's CAPSLOCK button before the day is over. Reading these comments is like spending a day in the psych ward. A story about a dead puppy-poor dog, has been twisted into hateful distortion of the published story. I feel badly for the owner of the dog who made the mistake of trusting this precious cargo to the morons on an airplane.

NO they are the morons whose FAT ASSES didn't even pick up the poor dogs but have them pried away from their mother at only 6 weeks of age and SHIPPED like cargo.

The article never said the owners of the dogs were fat, or had fat asses. Is there a linked article that you have that depicts the corpulent owner?

oh, also...if you ahve an issue with ommission then take it up with Gothamist or whoever provided the article, not those who only interpret what's there.

fur = bad

clothes made by human slaves = unimportant

Unreal

perhaps it is unimportant to you. Expand your horizon.

i think there should be an annual Gothamist Commenter Pariah of the Year Award. and the first ceremony would have felix receiving the lifetime achievement award.

i wonder about you, dude. are you just this fired up on internet message boards or do you work as an organizer or something? is there money where your mouth is? or just a bottomless pool of outrage?

then i stop wondering when i realize that you couldn't possible respond to this in any way that's not furious and we'll never meet and i'll forget i posted this in 10 minutes, where as you'll be referring to it every time we cross comments again...

I really don't waste my time with the same commenters - YOUNGPRO, TRUEFACTS, DEM COWBOYS because they have this NEED to post pro-animal cruelty comments. I know that they just need a thrill so IT is best to just ignore this "parodies". But why do you care about me? it is the issue not me that is at hand. And yes cruelty and abuse ANGERS me. sorry me that i dont' take pleasure as such miserable people do in the abuse of defenseless innocent beings.

You know what Felix. I've had enough of your bullshit! Nothing I've ever said was pro-animal cruelty. NOTHING! Just because you have a misguided sense of altruism that you like to apply to animals to anthropomorphize them into what fits your agenda it doesn't mean that everyone who disagrees with you is an abuser of animals. Your problem is that you don't know what the term 'abuse' means and you use it so much that it has actually lost its meaning, kinda like rappers using the N-word.

You do realize that you created the issue. This was a story about two puppies, a cargo bay and an airline. The story NEVER mentions anything about puppy mills, yet you decided to steer the topic into something you cared about.

"Btw, how many freezing homeless humans have YOU helped?"

Non sequitur

i only care because i worry about your blood pressure. no one on this site should be taken seriously, including the editors and writers.

hey at 26, i think my blood pressure is ok. I am a Latino male, we have lots of passion in us. And animals are my issue. I seen my friends go nuts over the jets games. One of them trash the cafe. it just seems that some people can't understand about having passion for animals but yet can understand their passion for the JETS, for american idol, for Jersey shore etc.

i guess you're too busy shitting on pictures of christine quinn to realize you were getting parodied

bahahahaaaaa

your "parody" fails because i'm against both so I don't understand why the comment is even relevant here? anyhow don't bother to answer, i'm not really interested.

But they can raise them in the Bronx or upstate and keep the $40 - $100 as profit. Again, it makes no sense.

"you aren't the compassionate person?"

My, my, such unprovoked gratuitous attacks for simply and politley disagreeing whether they came from a mill or not.

My favorite rabbi once said: "Judge not, lest ye be judged".

Btw, how many freeing homeless persons have YOU helped?

and your repeated logic FAILS time again and again. HAVING compassion for other species doesn't mean you don't have compassion for humans. I guess in YOUR world, there is NO room for both. However there is no degree of compassion. either you are or aren't compassionate. And you support FUR, one of the EXTREME form of cruelty so that is why I doubt your concern here. The buyer is probably paying the shipping cost. don't focus too much on the PROFIT but more on the cruelty of PUPPIES used as commodities. Dignity of LIFE should be respected. This is cruel.

You want on a long screed but avoided the simple question:

"Btw, how many freezing homeless humans have YOU helped?"

I helped your mother to my manhood last night. That count?

Non sequitur

Why would puppy mill owners pay the high cost of flying a dog from Mexico, taking up most of their profits, when there are so mills that are so close nearby? It makes no sense.

the cost can range from $40 to $100 depending on the flight. I am sure they used the cheapest flight available. But why do you care? You support fur, you aren't the compassionate person?

Were your parents siblings, cause you are the dumbest person I have ever heard !!! You need to be abused!

6 weeks is way to young to wean pups from their mother.

Furhermore, I would NEVER put a dog in the hold -- you have no control over what happens to them, and it is totally traumatic for the poor pup to be in the dark, dealing with take off/landing and turbulence et al.

Actually, 6 - 8 weeks is normal for humans to wean animals away from their parents. Left out in the wild, the mother would have weaned her progeny after only 4 weeks. Always remember when talking about animals to keep your human perspective to yourself and not to anthropomorphize.

Haha, what? As much time with the mother as possible is what's best for puppies, these aren't wild dogs they're domesticated, with different behaviours because of that. Domesticated dogs can and often do spend their entire lives with their parents unless separated. Any breeder will tell you separating at 6 weeks is bad for the pup - 8 weeks is the absolute youngest. You're just spewing nonsense.

Did you read ANYTHING I said? Out in the wild, dogs push their puppies away from the teat after 4 weeks. If you think I'm spewing nonsense, look it up. I get sick of all of you stupid humans thinking you know what's best for other animal species because some other human (breeder) told you so (think for yourself for once in your friggin' life!). The reason breeders say that is to socialize the animals to humans, which to me, sounds like a very selfish thing for humans to do. Why can't we just let animals be animals?

How do you know they were from puppy mills, or are you just smart alecking it up?

On the other hand, how dimwitted is an airline being by not regulating temperatures in the cargo hold where animals are stored?

two 6-weeks-old from Mexico City, don't need to be Sherlock Holmes to know they are from puppy mills.

feliz,

you have no proven just how stupid you reall are. the article says:

'A vet that evaluated him said he is playful and doing well, and has been REUNITED WITH ITS OWNER.'

which makes NO mention of puppy mills. this is the shit you invent in that little brain of yours. i say the dogs were on vacation with their owner and then came back on the flight with them.

Felix's definition of a "puppy mill" is anything that didn't come from two dogs doing the dirty on the street. He's deranged. It's why I don't even bother with him anymore. Do yourself a favor and follow suit.

from spirit who BOUGHT A cat from a BREEDER. You are defenseless since you support breeders. shame on you. hundreds of beautiful cats in the shelter in need of a home and yet you actually buy one and have him/her flown. shame on you. animals aren't items to be bought like furniture.

You've really taken ASSUMPTIONS to a whole new level.

You ASSUME the puppies were coming from a Mexican-based mill.

I'd ASSUME you're a furry because of your obvious bias towards stories that revolve around puppies and cats (right, "Felix the Cat"?).

So, because you confuse assumptions with fact:

These puppies came from a Mexico puppy mill and you're into touching yourself while dressed like a cat.

Everyone satisfied yet?

Wow, do you keep a log of animal-related statements made by commenters, or do you just have a really good memory?

good memory

I was wondering how long it would take your ghetto ass to appear here. Please educate yourself and you will understand why they are from puppy mills. I know for some people as you, everything needs to be written down for you to understand. But try to use some logic and common sense for once (1) they are only 6 weeks (2) were in cargo unescorted and (3) from Mexico City. And you pretend to be a lawyer. LMFAO. You are dumb as wood.

So, if they were 12 weeks old and from another city, that would mean they weren't from a puppy mill?

Detective: How old are these puppies?

Witness: 6 weeks sir.

Detective: Ahhh, so we're dealing with a puppy mill!

witness: Wow, how did you figure that out?

Detective: Any dod that is 6 weeks old must have come from a puppy mill!

Witness: Can I see your badge again? Wait that's a Playskool cowboy deputy badge taped to the inside of a coin purse!

'pretend to be a lawyer'...ok, felix.

felix, no...one...said...they...were...from...puppy...mills. is that simple enough for you to understand? you simply invent things you dont read in the article itself. and make yourself look stupid in doing so (case in point here).

So, if you're right (and you probably are) in addition to the blood of yet another shelter dog on their hands and the misery of the breeding dogs in this puppy mill on the consciences, these new owners are now responsible for the death of one the the suffering of another dog. But of course, they'll sue the airline and take no responsibility.

Live animals are not "cargo"; they aren't commodities; and they aren't import goods.

Well, we're not, so please explain. How do you know for a fact that these weren't just given to the owner from a litter that someone's friend's dog had? Is there something special about Mexico (aside from what I would assume are laxer laws concerning breeding)?

laws are just as lax in that states, the person probably bought them cheaper from Mexico. there is such a thing as Common Sense and these puppies (pulled away from their mother so young) are from puppy mills. So please spare me and we both know you don't give a shit about animals. Your past remarks reflect your lack of empathy and morality. So good day.

from puppy mills in Mexico City. What sick people in this society.

I still don't see the cause/ effect relationship between the point of the story (Dog freezes to death) and that having something to do with a puppy mill. If it had been properly bought with paperwork then that would chenge the temperature and regulations of the airplane's cargo hold???

how would PAPERWORK affect the temperature? That makes no sense? My point is how sick people abuses animals for their own pleasure and selfishness. These 6 weeks puppies pulled from their mother and transported from puppy mills in MEXICO. I can only imagine the poor mother's condition. Probably being forced to breed at this moment. TRAGIC

Are you serious? It amazes me how much you missed my point. From how much you missed it, I wouldn't know where to begin on how to explain it to you without crayons...

(1) they are only 6 weeks (2) were in cargo unescorted and (3) from Mexico City.

Prove it, jackass! You talk a lot of shit and never have any proof! It would be the same as me seeing a story about you picking up socks at the GAP, and then accusing you of supporting illegal sweat shops in Bangladesh. Seriously felix, get a grip on reality.

But you do support sweatshops by going to the GAP? Are you arguing that just because you cannot actually see the sweatshops, you're not somehow contributing? So because we live in a privileged western society where people can be blissfully ignorant of how goods get to them, we should somehow pretend that they just magically appear because it's more convenient than admitting they're not produced? Because then awww widdle baby might have to grow some morals and actually stand up for them and that's hard wahh wahh waaaaah I don't want to have to think about it just keep giving me cheap crap and letting me ignore everything else.

The puppies most likely came from mills, yes. Someone wanted a purebreed without the cost. These people are obviously cheap bastards, they wouldn't even foot the in-cabin cost for the pups. Joke's on them though, without a responsible breeder the likelihood of these pups being genetically predisposed to heinous disorders is way higher, they'll be seeing that money later in astronomical vet bills.

How is it that just about everyone who comments on this site can be that fucking idiotic when it comes to reading comprehension? I told Felix to prove his accusation, which he cannot. He can propose a number of hypothesis regarding where the puppy came from, but he can't prove it. That's all I was saying. You, on the other hand, decided to take what I said and twist it into your own political soapbox for whatever bullshit agenda flows from your piehole on a daily basis.

Ehemm...People need things. Companies make things. In order to make those things competitive on the market, they must exploit foreign labor. The only effective way to stem this competition is to require all companies selling their goods in the states to use domestic labor -good luck with that. Alternatively, the government could set the legal salable price of goods, but then you are trusting the same people who run the dmv pin market fluctuation. Again, good luck. We do not live in a privileged western society. We live in a complex, post industrial consumer economy that brings opportunity to every corner of the planet.

don't waste your time with DEMSCOWBOYS, he is ignorant and lacks compassion.

Yo mama, bitch!

Big talk coming from a pussy!