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Posted by desiree on October 31, 2002 at 10:05:26:
All States: Federal Aviation Administration Issues Regulations to Make Air Travel for Animals Safer!
The FAA has extended the deadline for receiving comments on the safe air travel law from Oct 28th to Dec. 27th!
In response to the ASPCA's successful passage of federal legislation that makes air travel for animals safer, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has just released proposed regulations to implement the law. It is imperative that everyone concerned about the safety and humane treatment of animals during air transport support this effort before December 27, 2002 by participating in this letter writing campaign. The airlines and many large animal breeders are vigorously opposing the regulations to prevent the law from becoming effective.
Thousands of animals are transported by air each year without proper safeguards. Many of these animals have been lost during transport, have sustained injuries, or even perished in the cargo hold where they are kept during flight due to the extreme heat in the summer or cold in the winter. Although the ASPCA lobbied hard to require cargo holds be equipped with temperature control devices to prevent these injuries, the airlines were able to defeat this provision.
The proposed regulations, if adopted, will require that airlines do the following:
Maintain a separate reporting and record keeping system for any animals lost, injured, or killed from the moment they are checked-in to the time they are returned to the owner or guardian. This system would be separate from the lost baggage claim reports where animal incidents currently are filed.
Determine the cause of the incident and describe the action the airline is taking to correct the problem (and, hopefully, prevent or, at least, minimize its occurrence in the future).
File monthly reports and make this information available to the public so that people wishing to fly animals may make more informed choices as to which airline to use.
The proposed regulations fall short in two areas:
The Federal Aviation Administration has limited the definition of animal to only those warm or cold- blooded animals which at the time of transport is being kept as a pet in the United States (or being sold for such purpose). The ASPCA believes the intent of the legislation was to include all animals, including those destined for research laboratories, animal exhibitions, and zoos.
The legislation does not include training requirements by the airlines of their personnel and baggage handlers for safe and humane handling of the animals. This was clearly specified in the law.
It is important that we support the proposed regulations given industry's strong opposition against them, but urge the FAA to address these shortfalls.
The letter must either be printed and submitted via mail or submitted via the Department of Transportation (DOT) website. This is not as user-friendly as our past alerts - but these are the submission requirements of the DOT.
You can write your own letter* to the FAA or use the sample letter provided. If you send your comments via mail it is imperative that you send two (2) copies of the letter. If you write your own letter it must refer to Docket number FAA-2002-13378. Send the letter to:
Docket Management System
U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20590-0001
The deadline has been extended to December 27th!!!
*You can also submit comments through the Internet by going to http://dmses.dot.gov/submit/dspSubmission.cfm
Click here to print our sample letter in PDF format.
Sample Letter:
Docket # FAA-2002-13378
To: Docket Management System
U.S. Department of Transportation
Room Plaza 401
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590-0001
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing in support of the proposed regulations as published in the Federal Register of September 27, 2002, Docket number FAA-2002-13378, and urge you to adopt the regulations without further delay.
The proposed regulations would implement the law that requires air carriers to establish reporting and record keeping for animals that are lost, injured, or killed during air transport separate from the current lost baggage claim system. It also requires that the airlines determine the cause of an incident resulting in the loss, injury or death of an animal, and take corrective action to prevent or minimize its occurrence in the future.
It is my understanding that the proposed regulation limits the animals covered to only those that are kept as a pet, or being sold as a pet, and that the original intent of the legislation was to include all animals transported. I would respectfully urge that the definition be expanded to reflect this. I also understand that the law requires airlines to train their personnel regarding safe and humane handling and care of the animal from the time of check-in to return to the owner or guardian. This is crucial if we are to prevent mishaps from occurring and, thereby, prevent animals from escaping, sustaining injuries, or perishing during transport.
As someone who cares about animals and their humane treatment, I was deeply disturbed to learn about the numerous incidents of animals escaping from their carriers, running down airport runways not to be found again, sustaining injuries from rough handling by baggage personnel, and perishing in cargo holds that are not equipped with temperature control devices to counteract the extreme temperatures of the summer and winter months. More people today consider their pets a part of the family and would prefer to travel with them. Existing provisions prevent them from doing so. Finally, all animals, regardless of being someone's companion, should be afforded the necessary provisions to ensure their health and safety during air transport. Adoption of the proposed regulations will go far in assisting in this effort and provide the public with vital information concerning an airlines' track record transporting animals in order to make informed decisions.
Thank you again for issuing the proposed regulations. I urge you to adopt them immediately so that the law can take effect today.
Sincerely,
