John Travolta, Dog Law and You
News that John Travolta’s two dogs were killed in an accident on an airport runway in Bangor, Maine, has some people wondering about their rights when a pet is hurt or killed while traveling.
Is the airport or the operator of the commercial vehicle that struck the dogs compelled to reimburse Travolta and wife, Kelly Preston, for the loss of their dogs? Can the celebrity couple press for pain and suffering damages? Do they have a negligence claim, given that both dogs apparently were being walked on a leash when they were hit?
If you lost a pet in an airline accident — or a traffic accident — do you have rights?
The answer is yes, but your rights may vary based on where and how you lost your pet.
The Travoltas were traveling on a private plane, so they have no claim against an airline. However if you lose a pet that you were transporting on a commercial airline, the airline is going to consider the pet ”baggage” and reimburse you for a maximum of $3,300, which is their standard liability limit for lost luggage, according to Mary Randolph, author of “Every Dog’s Legal Guide.” (Airlines typically charge more than a baggage fee to transport a pet, though. Even if you put the pet on your lap, it’s likely to cost as much as $150 to take it with you.)
