*http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200707060331.html
JAL to ban bulldogs from aircraft THE ASAHI SHIMBUN* Japan Airlines Corp. will ban bulldogs from its planes starting July 20 because of their tendency to become enfeebled during travel, company officials said. Bulldogs and French bulldogs will not be allowed on any international or domestic flight, as checked baggage or freight, under the new regulation. This is the first time JAL has set standards for a specific breed of animal. The airline allows many kinds of animals to board, including dogs, cats, rabbits and small birds. With the exception of guide dogs, no pets are allowed in the cabin. Pets usually travel in a special basket in the cargo area of the aircraft. The temperature in an aircraft's cargo space is maintained by air conditioners at 15 to 30 degrees with humidity levels of less than 20 percent. However, pets are forced to wait on the tarmac or in cargo rooms when baggage is loaded and unloaded. Temperatures under these conditions can soar, especially during the summer months. Bulldogs, whose noses are extremely short, start to swelter. And since they are not very good at controlling their body temperatures, they are more likely to become debilitated than other dogs. Some bulldogs have even died under these conditions. Since May, All Nippon Airways Co. has not accepted bulldogs on international air freight services.(IHT/Asahi: July 6,2007) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
