News Archives: Archive: May 2000: 2000-04-05
Please Note: Information in this archived article may no longer be accurate.
05 April 2000Clinton Signs Safe Air Travel for Animals Act
On April 5, 2000, President Clinton signed into law the Federal Aviation Administration re-authorization bill that includes portions of the Safe Air Travel for Animals Act, landmark legislation designed to make air travel safer for pets and other animals.
The bill is a step toward providing long overdue protection for pets and other animals traveling on our nations airlines. "This law puts change in motion toward making air travel safer for animals, and we thank President Clinton for that," said Wayne Pacelle, HSUS Senior Vice President.
"We owe a debt of gratitude to Senator Lautenberg and Representatives Menendez and DeFazio for their tireless work on behalf of this legislation and animal safety," Pacelle said. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representative Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced the measure in Congress, and Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) played a key role on the conference committee fighting for its approval.
More than 500,000 animals are transported by air every year, according to the Airline Transportation Association (ATA). Tragically, an estimated 5,000 of these animals are killed, injured, or lost each year. Most injuries to animals traveling by airplane are due to extreme heat or cold, insufficient oxygen in cargo holds, mishandling by baggage personnel, and damage to kennels.
The conference legislation requires airlines to provide monthly reports to the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary on all incidents of loss, injury, or death of animals. These reports will be made available to the public so consumers will be better informed on specific airlines track records regarding animal safety. In addition, the legislation mandates improved training in animal care and safe transport techniques for baggage handlers.
Pacelle noted that the new law is a good first step toward safer airline transportation for animals, but efforts must continue to improve conditions in the future. It is essential, he said, that cargo holds be made safer so that animals can be transported with the same guarantees of safety and security enjoyed by their owners and other passengers.