Man Sues Alaska Airlines for Death of his Dog, Ash

A man is suing Alaska Airlines after his four-year-old French bulldog, Ash, died on a flight from New York to San Francisco earlier this year. Michael Contillo claims he purchased first-class seats for himself and his father and paid for “reserved space” in the first-class section to give his two dogs more space during the February flight.

According to Contillo, airline personnel made him move from first-class to the main cabin for “safety” reasons prior to take-off. Contillo says he informed the crew that his dogs needed the extra space and advised them that the dogs could die because of the anxiety if they did not stay in the first-class section.

Contillo’s concerns were allegedly ignored, and he noticed that Ash was “breathing very quickly and heavily, with noticeable anxiety” before take-off. By the time the plane landed in San Francisco, Ash was dead and his body was rigid, suggesting he died not long after departure. Contillo claims that the crew, including the pilot, showed no concern for his dog’s death.

Ash was “a very healthy and active dog with no history of illness or surgeries” prior to the flight and he was cleared by a veterinarian for the cross-country trek. Contillo is suing Alaska Air for breach of contract, negligence, negligent hiring and supervision, and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

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