Couple devastated after their french bulldog dies on flight home

Kristina and Neil Maccabee have been left devastated when their beloved french bulldog Bruno died on a Virgin Australia flight home. Now they want answers into how it happened.

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Kristina and Neil Maccabee have been left devastated when their beloved french bulldog Bruno died on a Virgin Australia flight home after his travel container was left out on the tarmac in stifling heat.

“He was our family, he came everywhere with us, every moment shared. We love him more than anything and we are completely devastated,” Mrs Maccabee said.

The couple had taken Bruno from their Wentworth Falls home up to visit family in Townsville for Christmas.

They flew back with Virgin on Boxing Day but Bruno was found dead in his carrier at Sydney airport.

Bruno the bulldog is believed to have died from heatstroke after being left on the tarmac. Picture: Supplied

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Mr Maccabee said he dropped him off about 10.45am at Townsville Airport. The cargo check-in point was closed due to the public holiday, so baggage handlers took Bruno.

French bulldogs are brachycephalic, which means their respiratory system has been adversely affected by the breed’s distinctive flat-nosed face.

“The breed is special, they don’t have the cooling capacity of other dogs,” Mrs Maccabee said, adding this was specifically detailed in the paperwork lodged with Virgin.

Mr Maccabee had just given Bruno a drink and also asked the baggage handlers to top up the water container in Bruno’s carrier before putting him on board.

“I was worried about him being on the tarmac in the heat for too long,” Mr Maccabee said.

Kristina Maccabee was shocked to see the carrier sitting in the sun. Picture: Supplied

Her partner Neil Maccabee has been left devastated. Picture: Supplied

But the Maccabees were horrified to see him on the tarmac in the blazing sun when they boarded the plane.

“I could see his container on the tarmac behind all the baggage and that was around 11.55am. We don’t know how long he was out there,” Mr Maccabee said.

“He would have been out in the heat for half an hour, forty minutes,” Mrs Maccabee said.

At Sydney, their worst fears were realised.

“I went to the cargo terminal to pick him up. The girl behind the counter could not make eye contact with me and my heart sank,” she said.

“Then a nice gentleman from Virgin came running and he told us the dog didn’t make it, he was dead on arrival. I just wanted to hold Bruno and I could see that he has obviously suffered, he got on the plane all fresh and he was all sweaty and had been sick and his water container was empty.”

The bulldog was left in the sun at Townsville airport for 30 to 40 minutes. Picture: Evan Morgan

And the Maccabees said, while the public holiday and no cargo staff on duty did have an effect, it is not an excuse.

“If this was a human, they would not have dropped the ball due to staff shortages but because it is a dog it feels like they have the same rights as bags or lost luggage,” Mrs Maccabee said.

“Nothing can bring Bruno back to us.

“However, airlines must not fail in their duty of care, at every stage of the handling process.

“Pets are not just standard baggage. No excuses for neglectful treatment of animals.”

Virgin has promised the couple a full investigation but the Maccabees have been told Virgin is waiting on CCTV footage from Townsville airport.

The couple sent Bruno to the RSPCA for an autopsy and the vet felt heat stroke was the cause.

Marianne Zander from the RSPCA said: “We have been presented with a deceased dog, which will now be the subject of an investigation”.

A Virgin Australia spokesperson said in a statement: “We are very sorry to hear of Bruno’s passing, as our team take great care and pride in ensuring guest’s beloved pets are safely transported around the country.

“We are taking this matter very seriously and investigating how it occurred.

“Virgin Australia adheres to stringent guidelines when transporting pets and we regularly review our handling processes to ensure that the highest standard of care is undertaken.”

Originally published as Couple devastated after their french bulldog dies on flight home