Airlines May Face Puppy Inquiry: Were Shipped Dogs Too Young to Fly?

An animal-rights group wants federal investigators to check whether Alaska Airlines of Seattle broke a federal law by flying underage puppies across the country for use on a Canadian film set.

Of 25 golden retriever puppies shipped last month by Alaska and American Airlines to Snow Buddies Productions Inc. in Vancouver, B.C., three later died of problems likely related to their youth, said Dr. Wendy Royle, a veterinarian in North Vancouver, B.C.

The rest, now under the care of Royle and two other vets, are slowly recovering from serious health problems, including "heavy intestinal parasite loads," she said.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals of Norfolk, Va., asked the U.S. Agriculture Department on Friday to check whether the airlines violated the federal Animal Welfare Act by shipping puppies that were between 6 and 7 weeks old.

That law forbids flying dogs or cats until they are at least 8 weeks old and weaned.

The animals flown in to star in "Snow Buddies," a Disney production about five puppies, were rented from White Lake Goldens Kennel of White Lake, N.Y.

The rental contract says the producers will pay the kennel $5,250 for the use of "thirty (30) six to seven week-old" golden retriever puppies.

"We are talking about babies here," said Royle, the veterinarian. "They are subject to stress when they travel at that age, when they're barely weaned. They're more susceptible to parasites when they're young, and being kept together in large groups is also a factor."

Alaska Airlines flew puppies Feb. 17 in four crates weighing a total of 144 pounds from Newark, N.J., to Seattle, according to a waybill provided by PETA.

Horizon Airlines - which, like Alaska Airlines, is owned by Alaska Air Group Inc. of Seattle - then flew them to Bellingham. It's unclear how they were transported from Bellingham to Vancouver.

PETA coordinator Bob Chorush said he thinks Alaska flew a total of 15 puppies, while American flew 10 puppies from New York to Seattle. He said he didn't know which group included the three puppies that died.

Alaska Airlines requires a veterinarian's certificate that animals are in good health, 8 weeks old and weaned before it will carry them, said spokeswoman Amanda Tobin.

The airline "has often turned away animals that don't meet that requirement," she said. "Our records indicate the puppies arrived safely and in good health."

PETA asked the Agriculture Department last week to investigate whether White Lake Goldens Kennel is properly licensed and to confirm the shipments of underage puppies.

The American Humane Association, which has sole responsibility for the proper treatment of animals on all U.S. and some foreign film sets, is investigating the situation, including the airlines' roles, said Karen Rosa, director of the organization's film and TV unit.

"What we're doing is trying to figure out what went wrong where and how we can assure this doesn't happen again," she said.

In a statement issued Friday, Snow Buddies Productions said that it has had representatives from the American Humane Association on the movie set throughout production "and we are cooperating fully with the investigation being conducted by the AHA."

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