Bulldog Nui was found dead after a flight from Western Australia to New Zealand. Photo / Facebook
Bulldog Nui was found dead after a flight from Western Australia to New Zealand. Photo / Facebook
Warning: Graphic images
An animal transportation company is under fire after one dog died and another ripped out its own toenails during flights.
Jetpets prides itself on transporting pets "safely and comfortably", according to its website, but devastated pet owner Anne Rewai said she was shattered to learn her beloved bulldog, Nui, died during a flight from Western Australia to New Zealand on Friday.
"I am deeply distraught & utterly disappointed in the way Melbourne office have handled this whole affair," she wrote on Jetpets' Facebook page. The comment has since been removed.
Jetpets spokeswoman Janine Janides told the Daily Mail Australia that initial findings indicate Nui died from natural causes and post-mortem examination results will be available in coming days.
Golden retriever Calvin was found by his owners "stressed out and covered in blood". Photo / Facebook
"Jetpets feel the pain at the loss and commiserate with the family," said Ms Janides.
Arjun Sivadasan, the owner of a golden retriever named Calvin, shared on Facebook how his pet was "soaked in blood" after the dog was transported from Melbourne to Brisbane on Friday.
"[Jetpets] said Calvin became agitated during the flight, lost a few toenails and a lot of blood. I expected the worst when I reached Qantas freight. What I saw was a bloodied crate, my dog stressed out and soaked in blood.
Calvin's owner said he cried his eyes out when he saw his dog's injuries at the airport. Photo / Facebook
"It was meant to be a day of great joy. After I spent a fortune to bring him over, finally I would get to meet him. It was the day I had been dreaming about, but it turned out to be a day I cried my eyes out. I can't imagine the amount of pain Calvin went through," wrote Mr Sivadasan.
Ms Janides said Calvin appeared comfortable and relaxed prior to boarding the flight, but upon his arrival Jetpets was notified of his injuries and contacted Calvin's owners "straight away".
But Mr Sivadasan told the West Australian it took 48 hours for Jetpets to check on Calvin after the flight.
He said Jetpets told him the company "was not fully functional on weekends" so no company representative was available to check on Calvin following the flight.
Calvin's injured paws. Photo / Facebook
"If they are flying pets on weekends they have to take full responsibility. What ticks me off is they're not looking to find out what went wrong and accept accountability," said Mr Sivadasan.
He said Calvin has travelled extensively with him around the world with other pet transport companies who provide regular updates and would exercise Calvin before a flight to ensure he was calm.
A Jetpets spokeswoman said the company takes pride in the service it provides. Photo / Facebook
Ms Janides said that the company takes pride in the service it provides and does its "utmost to provide a positive experience for the travelling pet and its owner".
"Of course are very upset that this was not the case for Calvin and his owners."
