United makes (another) mistake, flies Kansas-bound dog to Japan

KCTV reports that Kara Swindle and her two children flew from Oregon to Kansas City, Missouri, Tuesday on a United flight.

They went to a cargo facility to pick up 10-year-old Irgo, a German shepherd, but were instead given a Great Dane. Swindle, of Wichita, Kansas, learned Irgo had been put on a flight to Japan, where the Great Dane was supposed to go.

Airline officials in Japan put Irgo on a flight back to Kansas City. It isn't clear when the dog will arrive.

"It's horrible because now I'm thinking about hearing that dog and not knowing that it was needing help," said Maggie Gremminger, who was on the United Airlines flight when the dog was placed in the overhead bin.

According to the Department of Transportation, 24 animals died on planes in the US last year. Eighteen of those pets were on a United Airlines flight.

Three-year-old Shih tzu, Duke, was set to take his first plane ride from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Europe on Wednesday and his owner was understandably nervous following the recent news.

"He shouldn't be in the overhead bin and I should be able to keep my eyes on him the whole time," Duke's owner said.

Duke's owner called the airline in advance to make sure his carrier is in line with the airline's pet policy. The carrier is ventilated, big enough for him to move around and has a small water bowl.

Duke's owner said he sympathizes with the family who lost their pet and vowed to protect his dog, who he considers to be a member of his family.

"Our family moved about nine months ago and he stayed back with my adult sons, our two grad school age children. I'm surprising them by bringing him back to our family in Europe," he said.