Eight-year-old Pomeranian Alejandro is the latest in dog casualties at airports, leaving behind a devastated family. The poor creature was found dead when he was travelling with his owners from Phoenix to New Jersey, where the family were relocating.
There was a stopover in Detroit at around 6am - but just two and a half hours later, Alejandro had passed away.
Michael Dellegrazie, Alejandro's owner, told ABC News: "I want to know what happened. The dog is not a pet. He's a member of our family."
He and his girlfriend were joint owners of the Pomeranian, and are deeply upset by the situation, not to mention Delta Airlines' handling of their beloved pet.
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Evan Oshan, Michael's lawyer said: "Alejandro was checked on. He was fine. Then approximately at 8 o'clock and 8.30 in the morning, the dog was again checked on. He was dead, and there was vomit in the cage, according to Delta."
Poor wee puppy.
In a statement, the airline said: "We know pets are an important member of the family and we are focused on the well-being of all animals we transport.
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"Delta is conducting a thorough review of the situation and has been working directly with Alejandro's family to support them however we can.
"As part of that review, we want to find out more about why this may have occurred to ensure it doesn't happen again and we have offered to have Alejandro evaluated by a veterinarian to learn more."
There have been previous incidences of man's best friend being left on the tarmac for hours by airlines, while in March another dog died on a United Airlines flight after its carrier was placed in an overhead bin.
However, there is happier news related to dogs and flying - some airports in the UK are now employing therapy dogs to help calm anxious flyers before they board planes.
We all know a nervous flyer - let's face it, who hasn't had a cheeky relaxing pint before a 6am flight? It calms the nerves and the usual rules of what time it's acceptable to booze tend to go out of the window before a holiday.
Of course, drinking may not necessarily be the best way to calm your pre-flight anxiety - but a hug from a puppy just might be.
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Aberdeen Airport now employs therapy dogs to trot around the airport, looking for stressed passengers. After hugging a good boy who has been specially trained to make you feel happy, people can then board their flights in a more sedate frame of mind.
Almost as good as being upgraded into first class!
Featured Image Credit: ABC News