SEATTLE- Alaska Airlines (AS) faces litigation from a San Francisco resident following the death of his three-year-old French dog, stemming from transfer from first class to economy class.
The plaintiff, Michael Contillo, deliberately selected first-class accommodations to ensure optimal space and minimal passenger exposure for his canine companion, Ash, during their February 1 transit from New York (JFK) to San Francisco (SFO).
Dog Dies on Alaska Airlines Flight
The airline relocated Contillo to economy class. This move allegedly triggered severe anxiety in Ash. The bulldog’s anxiety led to multiple health complications. These complications resulted in Ash’s death.
Contillo’s attorneys filed the complaint on October 16, and the San Francisco County Superior Court received the legal documentation. The lawsuit cites several violations, including contractual breach, operational negligence, and deficient hiring practices.
It also addresses inadequate supervision protocols and negligent infliction of psychological trauma. The plaintiff seeks exemplary damages. The court will determine the final monetary value during trial proceedings.
Previous Flight
The legal documentation references a precedent November 2023 journey. Contillo, accompanied by his father and two French bulldogs—Ash and Kora—completed a San Francisco to New York route in first-class accommodations.
This earlier flight concluded without incident, with both canines arriving at their destination in satisfactory condition.
Both French bulldogs maintained optimal health during their New York journey. Contillo sought a veterinary consultation before their return flight to ensure their fitness for air travel. The veterinarian confirmed both dogs’ medical clearance for cross-country transit.
On February 1, Contillo and his father initiated their return journey to San Francisco International Airport with both canines. They secured two first-class tickets to facilitate early boarding privileges and maximize spatial accommodation for the dogs.
Contillo adhered to Alaska Airlines’ prescribed protocols. He pre-registered both in-cabin dogs for first-class space through telephonic reservation.
At the airport, he remitted a supplementary fee of $100 per dog. The passengers met all dimensional specifications mandated by the airline. The airline initially positioned them in row four.
Pre-departure, an Alaska Airlines flight attendant, accompanied by an unidentified male employee, directed Contillo and his father to relocate to row eleven, citing safety considerations.
Contillo articulated serious concerns about the relocation directive. He emphasized the dogs’ current stable state but warned of potential destabilization amid the fully occupied cabin.
He explicitly detailed the medical risks: the relocation would trigger anxiety and excitement in the dogs, potentially inducing respiratory and cardiac complications. Contillo stressed that such physiological changes, particularly preceding altitude variations, could prove lethal.
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