French bulldog dies on Alaska Airlines flight after being bumped from first class to coach: lawsuit

A beloved three-year-old French bulldog died connected an Alaska Airlines flight aft he and his proprietor were bumped from first people to economy, a caller suit alleges.

The owner, Michael Contillo, slapped nan hose pinch nan suit past week aft his pooch named Ash abruptly passed distant connected nan formation from New York to San Francisco connected Feb. 1, according to tribunal papers.

The alleged ordeal unfolded aft Contillo and his father, who some purchased first-class tickets, boarded nan formation astatine JFK and took their fourth-row seats pinch Ash and his different French bulldog, named Kora, successful their pet carriers.

Just earlier take-off, Contillo claims hose unit approached and asked them each to move backmost to statement 11 for “safety purposes,” nan suit revenge successful San Francisco County Superior Court states.

“Plaintiff explained that moving nan dogs astatine this constituent earlier takeoff would beryllium highly vulnerable for nan dogs. He further explained that nan canine was calm astatine nan infinitesimal but would not beryllium calm anymore now that nan level was afloat of people,” nan filing alleges.

“To move nan dogs now would make them very anxious and excited, which would lead to highly vulnerable breathing and bosom problems. This alteration could beryllium lethal for a dog, particularly correct earlier you alteration altitudes.”

Contillo claims nan unit ignored their pleas and forced them to move backmost to coach.

“At this time, Ash instantly started breathing very quickly and heavily, pinch noticeable anxiety,” nan suit charges.

The proprietor alleged he noticed Ash had “stopped moving” but formation attendants told him to adjacent nan pet bearer for takeoff — meaning he couldn’t cheque connected nan cream-colored pooch until later.

“By nan clip nan Plaintiff and his begetter deboarded nan level astatine nan San Francisco International Airport, Ash’s assemblage was wholly successful rigor mortis,” nan suit states, adding that it usually doesn’t group successful for dogs until astir 4 hours aft death.

“The Plaintiff and his begetter confirmed that Ash was so dormant and instantly started to weep, nan filing continued.

“The full formation crew, including nan pilot, deboarded nan level and showed nary sympathy for nan Plaintiff’s dog’s loss. No 1 stopped to show concern, connection condolences, aliases show nan slightest spot of compassion.”

Contillo claims that anterior to nan flight, nan canine was “very patient and active” pinch “no history of unwellness aliases surgeries,” nan filing says.

Months earlier, Contillo said he had flown pinch Ash to nan Big Apple from San Francisco pinch zero issues.

“The Plaintiff and his begetter flew successful nan first-class compartment without issues, and some French Bulldogs safely arrived successful New York. For those mates of months successful New York, they remained patient and progressive passim their stay,” nan suit states.

Before flying backmost connected nan ill-fated flight, Contillo said some French Bulldogs were examined by a vet successful New York to make judge they were patient capable for nan cross-country trip.

“The Vet confirmed that some dogs were patient and would beryllium safe to return a cross-country flight,” nan tribunal papers allege.

Contillo is suing nan hose for breach of statement by not honoring their first-class tickets, arsenic good arsenic negligence and affectional distress.

The Post has reached retired to Alaska Airlines for comment.