Israeli flag carrier El Al announced new pet transportation regulations on Thursday, following the death of a dog in the cargo hold on a flight to the Georgian Republic last week.
The pet, Vito, died during the flight, leading to an emotional outcry from his owner, who accused the airline of negligence for failing to activate the cargo hold’s oxygen supply.
"My heart breaks to think El Al forgot they had a dog in the belly of the plane and we were given a corps two hours late. How we loved him," she wrote. "El Al was careless and acted irresponsibly. They murdered him. They 'forgot' to turn on the oxygen!"
In response, El Al informed travel agents that brachycephalic dogs and cats, known for their susceptibility to respiratory issues, will no longer be allowed in the cargo hold. Several airlines, including Swiss, Delta, United and Lufthansa, have already banned these breeds.
El Al also said it would not be held responsible for any health complications or deaths involving pets during flights.