16 May 2000
 Dick Dastardly Catches the Pigeon |
According to the Times Newspaper a man who should know better has been reprimanded for taking a seven-week-old puppy as hand luggage on a British Airlines flight. Harry, the Jack Russel puppy was discovered when he escaped from his bag during a flight to Rome. Arnold Garvey insisted last night that he did not know he was doing anything wrong. He said he was taking the puppy, to Italy as a gift saying, "This was not part of the pet passport scheme. This dog was for export, and I had all the necessary paperwork." He admitted that he had not informed the airline that he intended to travel with a pet. "I put the puppy in my hand luggage because I wanted him to stay close to me. I had also wrapped him in a blanket his mother had used and he just went to sleep. I opened the bag to ensure he had plenty of air." But British Airlines Go services ban all animals on flights and Mr Garvey was reported. He was given a dressing down but let off with a caution. Mr Garvey said last night: "I was made to look like a smuggler. But I am very sorry for any upset caused." Amazingly Mr Garvey is the editor of the UK weekly 'Horse and Hound' Hunting magazine which makes it rather difficult to believe that he did not know he was doing anything wrong! Here is some advice for Mr Garvey: Member states of the European Union enforce IATA Regulations for the transportation of live animals to, from and within communities. Many airlines require a health certificate for any animal they are transporting whether in the cabin or as an unaccompanied shipment. Hunt magazine Editors excepted, the rest of us should ask ourselves the following questions before considering air-travel with our pets: (source IATA) |