Airline cargo workers at Toronto Pearson International Airport made a gruesome discovery last Saturday when unloading the belly hold of a Ukraine International Airlines aircraft that had just arrived from Kyiv. Dozens of puppies being transported from Ukraine to Canada were found dead and many more were seriously ill, suffering from dehydration and vomiting according to a government agency spokesperson.
Around 500 puppies were being transported on the same flight but the condition that many of the animals were found in has prompted an investigation by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. A total of 38 puppies were found dead and the majority were showing varying levels of sickness.
“CFIA officials are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident and will determine next steps once the investigation is complete,” a spokesperson for the agency confirmed on Friday, nearly a week after the incident.
“The humane transport of animals is a requirement under the Health of Animals Regulations: Part XII, which state that carriers cannot load, transport or unload animals in a way that would cause injury or undue suffering,” a statement from the CFIA continued.
In a short statement posted to its social media channels, Ukraine International Airlines acknowledged the incident saying the dead puppies were a “tragic loss”. The airline promised to prevent a similar incident occurring in the future.
“Everyone at UIA offers its condolences for the tragic loss of animal life on our flight,” the statement read.
“UIA is working with local authorities to determine what happened and to make any changes necessary to prevent such a situation from occurring again.”
