Update on Snickers & Delta Airlines

[doriansmomma]

Hi Everyone, I wanted to first thank everyone for their support. You are all truly wonderful.

I haven't posted an update on Delta because I feel so defeated & mentally exhausted. To explain: In the end, they (Billy Freeman/Delta Airlines) have finally put a price tag on life. They have valued my Snickers life based on dimensional weight. They equate each pound to be worth 50 cents. The carrier had a dimensional weight of 20 pounds. Doing some really simple mathematics, the value of life in this instance is $10. (True Colors anyone?)

The sad part is this -- I would rather have had them tell me to go screw then to add insult to an already devastating situation. $10? Are you kidding me?

I emailed Billy to let him know he must have made a error when he was typing to give him & Delta the benefit of the doubt. I also asked to deal with another department from this point forward. His only response was that his supervisor is expecting my signed agreement back as soon as possible. And on that note -- they don't deserve another response from me.

In my opinion, it is not a mistake that defines a company -- what defines a company is how they work to remedy the situation, both in the short & long term. Delta, this is a "test" of integrity YOU HAVE FAILED. You have failed Snickers, you have failed your patrons, you have failed your stockholders & most importantly, you have failed yourselves.

Felt good to say that. Heather

 

[kiennasmom]

Are you serious!?!?! $10????? That's IT?!?!? They aren't even going to reimburse the cost of Snickers himself & the vet bill?
I'm so angry right now I don't even know what to say!!!

 

[Gadzukz]

Oh Heather, that is so disgusting and insulting. Do you have any other options to explore? Have you consulted an attorney? I know how absolutely draining this must be for you and your family. You have my heartfelt condolences!

 

[sphynxie]

I'm so sorry! Their response is cold and worthless. I think of Snickers every day and it still breaks my heart In honor of Snickers: I will never use Delta, my friends and family have said they will never use Delta and any one I can talk to will hear about this tragedy.

 

[Jennifer]

What a heart breaking reponse. $10? personally I think its bull s$@t . boycot Delta!

 

[English Dave]

Delta's response is so uncaring and pathetic that I'd actually go straight to the press with your story to ensure that as many people as possible know just what they risk using their services.

 

[TanyaT]

Yup this is absolutely disgusting!! I really hope that they lose MANY customers due to this! The word must continue to be spread! They must suffer financially for taking the life of Snickers! I really hope you do consult with a lawyer! If you haven't already please do so for Snickers and for the previous ones lost and the ones who are destined the same fate if using Delta!!

Big Hugs to you Heather!!

 

[ilovemysphynx]

Well we all know that $10 is absurd!!!! but my question is what has the breeder said or done for you? I understand that Snickers died because of the cold but, I still can not understand why a breeder would ship a kitten that was 11 weeks old to a place that was 7 degrees? At any age that is just too cold. That is where breeder responsibility comes in.

 

[NakedNinja]

speechless.

 

[Candys]

Heather this is an outrage to the animal rights community. Here are a few resources.

ANIMAL LAW
Pet Custody Lawyers NJ, Veterinary Malpractice Attorneys Bern County
QUOTE FROM HER BLOG:
In the end, there is a reason that lawyers that practice animal law often have other practice areas as well. It is not a profitable field for either the lawyer or the client, and lawyers who run such practices often do so out of their own love for animals. You can rest assured that they will care a great deal about yours too.
_______________________________________________________________

The pet food company that recalled 60 million cans of contaminated dog and cat food repeatedly made harassing phone calls to pet owners who had lawyers and said they didn't want to talk, even after a judge ordered the firm to leave them alone, court records show.
Lawyers from six firms representing clients who claim their pets were harmed by Menu's pet food asked a federal judge in New Jersey Wednesday to stop Menu from "bullying" people who had called the company since the recall was announced March 16, according to their court filing.

His Chicago-based firm Blim & Edelson represents more than 600 pet owners.
___________________________________________________________
Animals are routinely deprived of their homes, their liberty and even their lives. Yet, they are not guaranteed a lawyer to speak on their behalf. Since 1989 Lawyers In Defense Of Animals, Inc. ("LIDA") has provided that voice in New Jersey.

LIDA is committed to representing the interest of the proverbial "underdog" whether he or she takes the form of wildlife, farm animal or companion animal. Through its cooperating attorneys who work on a reduced fee or pro bono basis, LIDA works within the legal system and educates others to work within the legal system to send society the message that animals are not property but are sentient beings with inherent rights.

Fundamental among those rights is the right to counsel for every animal that faces loss of life or significant loss of liberty.
_______________________________________________________________

 

[wouldluvabarebaby]

From one Heather to another DO NOT let them off the hook! Please don't sign anything. This is absolutely ludicrous - if you still have connections to those who helped you publicize this initially, please enlist their help again to make some noise! I know I am disgusted at Delta's insult, and know that this is untenable ​

 

[MissMySphynxBoys]

I'm so disappointed in Delta's lack of integrity. I thought they were a better company than this.

 

[ckutkuhn7]

Absurd!!! I am completely outraged. I can not believe they can value his life at only $10 and then have the gall to charge you $200 - $300 for a ticket to fly him to you. Many items in a personal bag that you check in will cost $15, I'm outraged you had a item that was alive and breathing and still they value it less. Makes no sense.
Another note, I am curious to know your breeders point of view on all of this. I'm sure she had good intentions when shipping but in weather as cold as it was it still causes me some concern. I don't feel the kitten should have been shipped in such cold weather but regardless I do feel this is Delta's fault at the same time.
Either way its a sad situation. I hope you can find the strength in this to continue making noise and causing them as much headache as you have heartache. Not just for yourself but for all potential pet owners who are considering shipping their pets via Delta.

 

[Sianne_and_Alice]

$10!!! What the hell!? A living breathing animal is worth much more than $10! They should not only be paying back for Snickers, they should be groveling and apologizing for KILLING your kiten! What the hell do they think they are doing? No okay at all. They were neglegent and it's only going to keep happening!

 

[gizmo6370]

speechless.

Me too...

 

[Candys]

I found this very interesting: Should Animals Be Able to Sue BP (Or Anyone)? | Law Blog

AND - A little more info:
The carriers must abide by federal Animal Welfare Act regulations governing the transport of dogs and cats in aircraft cargo bays, USDA spokesman David Sacks said. The regulations include keeping cargo areas heated or cooled as necessary to maintain a temperature and humidity that ensures the well-being of the animals. The cargo areas also must be pressurized above 8,000 feet.

Pet owners must have a health certificate from a veterinarian stating that the animal is fit to fly. In addition, owners shipping their animals should make sure they use containers that have adequate openings for ventilation. They also must have portable carriers large enough to give the animal enough space to turn around while standing as well as to sit upright, according to the International Airline Transportation Association. Food and water containers accessible from outside the portable carrier are also required.

Officials said pet owners also should:

-- Book animals during moderate weather, if possible, and book them on flights that have the least number of connections (none is preferable.)

-- Avoid holidays and weekends when airline baggage-handling staffing is typically at lower levels.

-- Have someone waiting at the destination airport to pick up the animal as soon as possible.

In addition, the USDA stipulates that no more than two puppies or kittens, eight weeks to six months of age, may be transported in the same enclosure aboard air carriers.

Despite concerns about the stress animals experience while being transported as live cargo, statistics show that air travel is the safest form of transportation for animals as well as people.

Some 133 animals died while being transported via air in the last five years, according to data reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Those are only the cases involving pets reported by the airlines to the government. The tally does not include deaths involving animals shipped by commercial breeders or livestock.

 

[pooner]

I am so upset by Delta! Please make sure this absurd $10 settlement offer is publicized to numerous places. I will avoid flying Delta at all costs!

 

[MyJezebel]

I'm shocked and appalled. I could have guessed from the tone of their emails that they weren't going to even come close to doing the right thing, but $10 is ludicrous. Even though they are a huge, heartless corporation, I figured they would have done better simply for public relations purposes. We already knew they weren't compassionate human beings from the way you and your family were treated from the beginning. Jerks!

 

[Gullivers Keeper]

Hi Everyone, I wanted to first thank everyone for their support. You are all truly wonderful.

I haven't posted an update on Delta because I feel so defeated & mentally exhausted. To explain: In the end, they (Billy Freeman/Delta Airlines) have finally put a price tag on life. They have valued my Snickers life based on dimensional weight. They equate each pound to be worth 50 cents. The carrier had a dimensional weight of 20 pounds. Doing some really simple mathematics, the value of life in this instance is $10. (True Colors anyone?)

The sad part is this -- I would rather have had them tell me to go screw then to add insult to an already devastating situation. $10? Are you kidding me?

I emailed Billy to let him know he must have made a error when he was typing to give him & Delta the benefit of the doubt. I also asked to deal with another department from this point forward. His only response was that his supervisor is expecting my signed agreement back as soon as possible. And on that note -- they don't deserve another response from me.

In my opinion, it is not a mistake that defines a company -- what defines a company is how they work to remedy the situation, both in the short & long term. Delta, this is a "test" of integrity YOU HAVE FAILED. You have failed Snickers, you have failed your patrons, you have failed your stockholders & most importantly, you have failed yourselves.

Felt good to say that. Heather

my husband would like to try to speak with delta, he is good at finding the right people to get the right results. if you would like him too please pm me your contact info
where this may exhaust you or I, my husband thrives on getting to the right people

 

[Gizzymom]

Heather, My heart breaks for you all over again!! My mom got more than that when they lost a piece of her luggage with dirty clothes in it!!!!

I would sooner WALK than fly Delta!!!!!

 

[tessblack]

Yeah I would not sign anything. I would send that around again to everyone who will listen it is just sickening and disgusting. Please don't sign it, ever. They need to be held responsible in some way. That is just so horrible. I am sure that you are so tired of fighting but it is a good fight for a great reason.

 

[Gullivers Keeper]

Please... Jeff will fight for you if you let him... DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING! I know this is tough but it needs to be done

 

[bean406]

I too can totally understand why you're exhausted but you should continue to fight because it's wrong...plain and simple. The monetary amount offered is beyond ridiculous and you're right--it's insulting. I WOULD NOT sign anything...that's letting them off the hook and that's BS.​

 

[Nofuratu]

My god!!! I totally assumed they would pay you about $1000 for your cat, another $250 for the ticket and then whatever your vet bills are. Not that that is enough money, but its a start of at least covering what you paid.
I am SHOCKED!!!!
Please let Gullivers keeper help you.
What about a petition with signatures of people who will boycot delta as a result of Snickers death?
Imagine how many signatures we could get between email and facebook and our places of work?
I feel as helpless as you do, but thats why we have the lair with all this support.
Dont give up now!!!!
If we all put our heads together Im sure we can do more.
I should be getting Nofuratu's report on his blog this week.
I wish I knew what else I could do to help!
I think you should definetely contact all the reporters who did an article so far with this update. I can see the headlines now! "Delta offers grieving Pet Owner $10 for kittens death"! What jackasses!!!

 

[nbolin]

Are you f'n serious??!! Oh lord, god help that airline...I will never use them again, and I will be SURE to tell them EXACTLY why!!!!