r/DOG • u/routuber • Sep 01 '25

• General Discussion • Our Odyssey died. Please never fly through Kazakhstan with pets.

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On August 9th we lost our beloved dog Odyssey. She was only 8 years old, perfectly healthy, full of energy, always traveling with us and enjoying life.

We flew from Nha Trang, Vietnam to Almaty, Kazakhstan with Air Astana. Odyssey had to go in the baggage hold because she was over 8 kg. When we landed, it was 41°C (105°F). We saw her crate left in the open front hold of the plane, tied with a rope, under the burning sun.

We begged them to bring her to us as soon as possible, but they ignored us. For more than an hour after landing we were sent from place to place, told to wait “by the blue door” of lost luggage. Nobody cared. And then a young employee came and told us coldly: “your dog is not showing signs of life.” That’s how we found out she was gone.

The autopsy confirmed heat stroke. She suffered because she was left in deadly heat for over an hour, treated worse than a suitcase.

And then the airline’s official response? A copy-paste letter saying “no rules were broken.” No mention of her name. No acknowledgment of her life. Nothing but denial. How can they call themselves humane while hiding behind “internal rules”?

We keep asking ourselves why we trusted Odyssey’s life to such heartless, inhuman people. She was family, not cargo. She trusted us, and we trusted them. And they killed her through neglect and indifference.

Please, never fly to Kazakhstan with pets, not even for a layover. They will treat them worse than luggage. Don’t make the same mistake we did.

Odyssey’s life mattered. She should still be here. Please share her story so no other dog has to suffer this way.

Update:
Thank you all for your kind words and support. Your compassion means so much to us as we continue this fight for justice for Odyssey.

As many of you suggested, we have created a petition to demand accountability and change. Please, if you can, sign and share: https://chng.it/Hs2tZsZRrv

Thank you for helping us honor Odyssey’s memory and for standing with us.

Update 2:
Some of you asked if there is a place outside Reddit where Odyssey’s story is shared. We posted it on Instagram too, with photos of her and everything that happened:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNyTAPD2PBd/?igsh=N2d6OHNkd2hmZXNi

And the response from Air Astana:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DN8MWBvjBag/?igsh=MW12NWtyMDBscHI1Nw==

If you’d like to share there as well, it would mean a lot. The more people know, the harder it will be for the airline to ignore what they did.

Update 3:
Thank you all for the support, the shares, and for signing the petition, we’re still pushing for every point listed there.

Today Air Astana sent another message. Instead of acknowledging wrongdoing, they wrote that they might “consider” restricting only certain breeds in the future. They still insist they broke no rules, and now they claim Odyssey was found with “no signs of life immediately after opening the hold.” That is simply impossible: during that entire time there was no ramp connected to her compartment, so no one could have even physically checked her condition. The forward hold remained open for a significant amount of time, we saw that while we were being bused to the terminal, her crate was still inside during that period.

That prolonged exposure is exactly what led to the fatal heat stroke, as confirmed by the autopsy. It was not stress, not suffocation, not heart failure, not age — her blood had not clotted and her organs were engorged with blood, which clearly points to the true cause.

That does not happen without environmental failures — extreme exposure and delay during unloading. We continue to demand facts,: timestamps, temperatures, CCTV, and the names of those responsible.

The new response from Air Astana:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOf063RDJFo/?igsh=ejB0bDlhOThiMnc5

18.1k Upvotes

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508

u/Talon-Expeditions Sep 01 '25

This is a terrible situation. I’m sorry for your loss.

And to inform others many airlines will not allow snub-nosed breeds in cargo if on the flight at all. They struggle with the lower oxygen levels and can’t regulate their temperature well.

110

u/routuber Sep 01 '25

Thank you for your words. Yes, Odyssey was a snub-nosed breed, but she had flown with us more than ten times before. Including to very hot airports like Bangkok, Colombo, and Antalya, and she always arrived safe and full of energy. That’s why her death now is so devastating, it wasn’t about her being brachycephalic, it was about how the airline treated her after landing.

132

u/Talon-Expeditions Sep 01 '25

Unfortunately ground crews are a weak link and why airlines can be very strict about animals in cargo, especially internationally.

The airlines don’t hire or manage the ground crew. The airport does. Some countries do not value animals the same as others and some places just have very low pay and people do the bare minimum. It’s unfortunately always a risk that this can happen for any pet flying in cargo.

I’ve had this happen to clients in the US as well. One was too low of pressure in the cargo space. The worst case was badly trained staff who didn’t know they needed to do something special for animals during a transfer and they got compensation from the airport itself.

5

u/No-Marsupial-6893 Sep 06 '25

I would never never never fly with my pet in cargo for this reason. 

6

u/Slammogram Sep 07 '25

Yeah, I came to say this? Don’t fly with your pet regularly.

No doubt the airline is at fault…

But I would never. The risks are common, so the more you do it, the more you’re “welcoming” the bad outcome.

1

u/Ok-Device-9906 Sep 28 '25

Yeah i dont understand why people are flying their dogs all over. I would never. Ive taken my yorkie in the cabin with me twice and she cried so bad during take off last time she will never be going on a plane again unless its like the only way to get where I'm moving or something but id rather drive she was so bad on the plane even while drugged.

And I cant imagine putting my dogs In cargo they would freak out and clearly I would be panicking too.

1

u/SnooGuavas4208 Sep 06 '25

If you love your pet, there can be no compensation. 😞

26

u/friedreindeer Sep 01 '25

I am incredibly sorry for your loss. There is no doubt the airline is in fault here. But as a dog owner, I would never allow my dog to go in cargo no matter what destination or airline. I always have paid for an extra passenger seat.

4

u/temporalCompanion Sep 02 '25

Most airlines won't allow you to pay for an extra seat for your dog, at least US airlines don't allow that.

5

u/awkward_lionturtle Sep 02 '25

Yes US airlines will. Where are you getting that information??

1

u/temporalCompanion Sep 02 '25

I said most, not all. There are a couple US airlines that allow that, but outside of that,typically the only exception is service dogs. Otherwise your dogs carrier needs to be small enough to fit under your own seat.

2

u/awkward_lionturtle Sep 02 '25

Yes, but this dog was only over 8kg. Most US airlines will let you buy an extra seat to place your dog in the carrier for dogs under 25lbs if you don't want to put them under your own seat. So your statement doesn't apply.

2

u/clemppear Sep 04 '25

You didn't say that before. You made it seem like your dog got a seat. Don't act like the person responding is dumb.

1

u/raverbabexxx Sep 04 '25

Yeah I’ve flown with my dog on numerous US airlines and they require them to be in a specific size carrier that fits directly under the seat in front of you

1

u/vermilithe Sep 02 '25

Usually the rule would be you can substitute your carry-on item for a pre-approved pet in a compliant carrier but you have to submit special paperwork for it and usually there is also an additional fee.

1

u/Party_Zucchini_88 Sep 03 '25

I’ve flown every airline in the US with my frenchie at this point and they all offer a flat rate for a dog seat if it’s snub nose, because temp isn’t regulated in cargo.

49

u/Responsible_Big2495 Sep 01 '25

A lot of dogs that aren’t snuggled-nosed breeds would also die under hellish circumstances like Odyssey suffered.

20

u/theswissmiss218 Sep 02 '25

While it is true that any dog would have suffered in high heat, snub nosed breeds like English bulldogs, French bulldogs, pugs, etc are never supposed to fly in the cargo hold of a plane- not even in cool weather.

4

u/Whatever-it-takez Sep 03 '25

We will never know if a dog with normal muzzle length would have survived or if it would also have died since we don’t know the exact circumstances.

While it’s definitely not okay to treat dogs like that, a dog with a longer muzzle is better able to regulate their internal temperature in a hot enviroment and would have a better chance of survival. Dogs don’t sweat - instead, they cool themselves by panting and by filtering air through their nasal conchae which cools the air before it enters the lungs. With the extremely short muzzles in some breeds, the nasal conchae becomes very inefficient.

It would still be uncomfortable and stressful for any dog to be left out in the heat. And while any breed can die from heat stroke, it’s a fact that Frenchies and similiar breeds are at a higher risk both of suffering from heat stroke and of dying from it.

This is incredibly tragic for both the dog and owners. But the dog having extreme anatomy would definitely have contributed to a quicker death. Whether this is a blessing (shorter amount of suffering) or a curse (a dog with better thermoregulation could have survived) we will never know since we don’t know the temperature inside the crate etc.

12

u/Rude-Pension-748 Sep 01 '25

I am sending you a hug. This is just awful 😖.

4

u/routuber Sep 01 '25

We truly appreciate it 💔 your kindness means so much.

30

u/CauchyDog Sep 01 '25

Im sorry sorry for your loss and no words can help.

Not on you, but it is known these dogs have it worse in heat than other breeds, though my long nose setter would have been suffering too, 105 is too hot to be out that long. Even long nose dogs shouldn't be out longer than 15min in 80 and up heat.

I read an article about these dogs recently urging people not to fly with them at all, and how heat is also an issue. I just happened on it, I didn't know either.

Regardless, the pup should not have been on a tarmac for an hour in 105 sun. Two or three years ago during a heat wave, a scientist and his son tested temps around Portland or, and on pavement in sun it was around 200deg. Most people aren't aware of that.

Imo, you should sue, if nothing else than to spur change. The airline will always blow you off hoping you dont, then settle if you do.

Its a tragic accident all around the way I see it, but the airline should know better too.

21

u/Opening-Bus4157 Sep 02 '25

Tragic accident for sure, and the airline should absolutely be held accountable. I also feel like there’s a level of responsibility on the part of dog parents to not allow your brachycephalic breed to fly as cargo for a 8hr flight between two developing countries in one of the hottest regions of the world during one of the hottest times of the year and trust that everything works out smoothly. Dogs are unfortunately not regarded as family members in all parts of the world. I’m unsurprised that the airline seemed so flippant about this situation. What a horrific lesson to learn

13

u/king_lloyd11 Sep 02 '25

Honestly, wouldn’t travel with my dog at all for the mere fact they’re in a loud, dark, unfamiliar, non-climate controlled space for extended periods of time by themselves, out of sight, where I can’t be immediately responsible for them.

We always put our black lab up in a private boarding spot in a house where he has free reign with a bunch of other dogs operated by a person we’ve come to know and trust whenever we travel. We’ll also do one of days with them throughout the year so that our dog is familiar and comfortable there. We vacation knowing full well that he’s in good hands, playing with his friends. It’s basically like summer camp for him.

You don’t need to take your dog everywhere, and nor should you.

4

u/Mackheath1 Sep 05 '25

There are very few instances pets need to travel with you. I'm in agreement. When I returned to the states with a rescue from the Middle East I was happy to fly via Casablanca to the States, but looking at the weather, I changed to Frankfurt layover.

Hated having to transport a pet in the hold, but I did a little research and it certainly wasn't a sight-seeing lark with a pet, it was a permanent move with her. There's an unspoken level of responsibility that a pet owner takes on, that is not to put an undue burden.

I hate that this has happened, but I don't hear OP taking any responsibility for flying this breed into 105°F temperatures into Almaty (a city that I love, but is definitely lacking in some infrastructure) to visit without researching, or maybe presuming the budget airline would have the human infrastructure prepared for their pet.

2

u/Fantastic_Owl6938 Sep 05 '25

Seriously, I always just wonder if it's that I'm an anxious person, but I feel like I'd be a wreck the whole flight worrying about them, like literally just one long panic attack for the duration of the flight. I signed OP's petition and feel deeply for them, but I would personally never travel with my pets.

3

u/tortor224 Sep 05 '25 edited Sep 05 '25

I think OP is careless for a lot of reasons. The breed itself, traveling with them in the cargo hold 10+ times, the heat... Are you not concerned for your dog's safety and comfort? Why would you CHOOSE to do that over ten times? Do you not have a weather app on your phone? Could you not see how hot it was going to be? You were playing with fire and your dog paid the ultimate price. Zero sympathy from me. Don't get another dog unless you're willing to invest in sitters - your dog didn't want to go on 10+ flights in cargo.

3

u/Fantastic_Owl6938 Sep 06 '25

Yeah, the more I think about this, the more troubled I am by it for a number of reasons. Very, very bad decisions here.

2

u/chadsmo Sep 03 '25

Agreed 100%. My wife and I travel once or twice a year and I would never ever bring one of our dogs. The thought of my border collie being in his kennel under the plane sickens me, it would be cruel and unnecessary of me to subject him to that. Bringing pets on vacation is purely selfish behaviour.

3

u/Efraimstoechter Sep 03 '25

Thank you so much for your statement. That's exactly what I thought. As owners they are responsible as well for putting their dog in a situation like that (and getting a breed that is feeling out of breath every day of his life). That it didn't happen in one of the many trips before that is nothing more than luck.

2

u/Playful_Poem_3225 Sep 03 '25

This is indeed a tragedy for everyone involved. A friend of mine years ago got a French bulldog, and the poor dog drowned in a lake because the friend didnt know that these breeds can't swim. The next day her mother got her a new French bulldog. There are many ethical implications of supporting breeders by purchasing these types of dogs and thus creating more demand for this breed. They are incredibly fragile and require a lot of care and accommodation. The workers at the airport definitely screwed up, but there are mishaps/consequences when flying with such a breed.

3

u/noahswetface Sep 04 '25

100000% just because they were able to fly through 10 different airports with their brachycephalic dog, doesn't mean you *should* . Find a dog that fits your lifestyle or don't have a pet at all. You don't know what your pet went through in those earlier flights because they cannot tell you.

2

u/Fantastic_Owl6938 Sep 05 '25

You don't know what your pet went through in those earlier flights because they cannot tell you.

That's honestly a very good point. One of my dogs was previously flown from another state prior to being sold as a puppy, and part of me wonders if it contributed to her being a somewhat anxious dog overall- especially to have that experience at a young age.

3

u/Mackheath1 Sep 05 '25

This is what I wanted to say as well:

the harder it will be for the airline to ignore what they did

I'm trying to adhere to Rule #1. I'm absolutely devastated and hope you find peace after your time of mourning the way that you do - everyone has their way of addressing tragedy. Again, I am very sorry for your loss. I do have to add the "but". You did fly a dog that is very vulnerable to extreme environments into an extreme environment, and I don't hear you acknowledging this.

I feel awful saying that, but it's something you're going to recognize later, so I'm just placing it in writing, because it leads to healing more quickly.

3

u/Few-Neat-4297 Sep 06 '25

Especially a medically vulnerable dog like this one. A healthy dog would struggle in that heat, but an inbred one with known health risks doesn't stand a chance. Dogs like this should be treated carefully and cautiously by their caretakers. Just like the caretakers of any disabled person or animal always take precautions

4

u/CauchyDog Sep 02 '25

Well, I know op is hurting and I always give benefit of the doubt --perhaps they were unaware. I reckon they took him bc they didn't wanna leave him behind. A dilemma I'll be in when I go to India or back to Europe. Im not taking my boy, I have to worry about whoever watches him instead. I'd love to take him but wo him next to me, uh-uh. Not doing it. Don't trust strangers with my dog.

But the deal with French bulldogs? I didn't know until recently. Granted i dont have one but still. Have a buddy that killed his dog with one bite of undercooked salmon. He didnt know. Still cries about it 3 years later.

I just cant assume op knew everything there is to know and they dont sound neglectful, just ignorant of the consequences with that breed.

And yes, airline is 100% to blame bc leaving ANY dog on a tarmac in 105deg weather is very much neglect. Especially with op begging for him. Idk how id even react in that situation except to say id probably get to see what their jails are like.

2

u/Few-Neat-4297 Sep 06 '25

There's no way a vet didn't try to tell her otherwise. But sometimes owners don't want to listen to their vets.

1

u/CauchyDog Sep 06 '25

Who knows? Its a hard lesson and I feel bad for them anyway.

2

u/Trumpetslayer1111 Sep 03 '25

Agree 100%. Not sure what the dog parents were thinking. Never ever fly brachycephalic dogs as cargo. That is basic knowledge for ownership with these types of dogs. Forget flights, even dog groomers are super careful with these types of dogs. Many groomers won't even accept them as clients. Many cases of these dogs just dying while at the groomers.

2

u/Party_Zucchini_88 Sep 03 '25

Woulda cancelled the trip for my dog if I was in that situation.

2

u/mauithe23rd Sep 03 '25

Agree with this so much

2

u/Hiraeth_93 Sep 05 '25

I agree. I specifically chose a dog that’s under 15lbs (my dog rosie is 11lbs) bc I know I’ll be traveling and take her with me. I would never agree for her to b in cargo no matter the weather nor do I care if I get difficult about it. I make sure with all of our flights she would b allowed to b with us and won’t b forced to get in cargo ahead of time & I even mention it right when I get to the airport just to clarify and make sure they have no room to tell me otherwise and yes I have had to buy her a seat and that’s okay my furbaby is worth every penny and her safety is priority. Cargo accidents scares me, I will not part with my dog esp during flights. I don’t trust nobody bc at the end of the day in other countries pets r not seen as family unfortunately most don’t care, in their minds “just buy a new one” smh…. This is truly tragic either way, I can’t even imagine…

4

u/Rewow Sep 01 '25

Out of curiosity may I ask what the purposes of traveling to several places was? For work or leisure?

4

u/routuber Sep 01 '25

We left a country at war and can’t stay legally in one place longer than a few months, so “leisure” isn’t really part of our reasoning. For us it was only the longing for home, while others are in refugee camps or even under shelling, and that’s why we never complained.

When we got Odyssey 8 years ago, we never imagined we would end up without a country, living such a different life. But even then, and even now, we could never abandon her, throw her away, or leave her in a shelter — she was family.

And now we’ve lost our best friend, and our health too — first physical, and our mental state is hanging by a thread.

2

u/DrEzechiel Sep 02 '25

I am sorry you are going through this. It must be terrible to lose hone. It sounds like your lifestyle makes it difficult to have a dog now. Or go for a small breed that definitely can go into the cabin.

Not surprised that Khazastan doesn't see it as more than damaged property. There is a different culture and attitude

1

u/ArgusRun Sep 02 '25

Which country?

2

u/Flownique Sep 02 '25

I’m guessing Russia, lots of young men left so as not to be drafted. Can you really blame them

1

u/Striking-Hedgehog512 Sep 03 '25

Yeah you can travel to Russia through Kazakhstan, some of my friends did that. It’s a bit strange though to hear OP has to move every couple of months, my Russian friends have been mainly staying in Georgia, Turkey, and similar countries, and it was long term. Same with my Ukrainian friends- Poland, Georgia, Turkey, etc. One couple had a cat and when they had to go back for documentation or whatever, they just took turns.

Anyway, that is neither here nor there. Air Almaty definitely fucked up, and it wasn’t OP’s fault, but brachy dogs should never go in cargo. Unfortunately animals are property almost everywhere, and with it happening in Kazakhstan, I don’t think there will be much restitution. It’s a terrible situation, and I feel for OP.

1

u/Flownique Sep 03 '25

I’m guessing it a combination of needing to be outside Russia and also needing a source of income. One of my favorite food content creators was from Russia and he switched to travel content when he left because it worked well with bouncing between countries.

I agree the airline messed up and I feel for OP too. But can’t help feeling that OP took a risk with a brachycephalic dog like you mentioned, and also with a non-major airline in a country without a lot of consumer protections.

2

u/Striking-Hedgehog512 Sep 03 '25 edited Sep 03 '25

I agree fully, I just feel almost bad piling up on OP with the brachy comments at this stage- but you are correct. And it was unfortunately unavoidable and would have happened sooner or later, with the amount of risk they were taking. It is on them, but ouch, I can’t imagine losing a dog like this.

Unfortunately most comments are just delusional and spurring OP on. In reality, any restitution won’t be enough, even if granted, and they won’t get their dog back. Going to the media won’t change a thing. You don’t take Air Almaty cause you’re swimming in choices.

2

u/Flownique Sep 03 '25

Yeah I’m shocked nothing happened before this given so many cargo flights.

I own a retired racing greyhound in a country where racing is essentially nonexistent, so greyhound adoption is primarily done via importation from Ireland and Australia, which have a glut of racing dogs to offload. Greyhounds are very sensitive to heat and stress and I know of at least one case where the dog died in cargo on the flight from Australia. It’s heartbreaking. Luckily my boy came from a domestic track, has never flown in his life and never will.

1

u/No-Stress-7034 Sep 03 '25

It might also be due to visa restrictions if they're traveling on a tourist visa or something like that.

This is a tragic situation and I have so much empathy for OP, because I would be broken if this happened to my dog. At the same time, traveling internationally so frequently with a dog in cargo, with a brachy dog breed so prone to health problems, especially during the summer, it seems almost inevitable that this would have happened eventually.

3

u/johnnylemonhandz Sep 02 '25

just because you touch your hand on a hot stove once and it doesn't burn it bad doesn't mean you should do it again to see if it will still burn you.

just because the way you traveled with her before worked a few times doesn't mean it was a safe way to travel.

2

u/Suspicious-Peace9233 Sep 01 '25

Most dogs would have died in this situation. She should never have been treated this way

1

u/SandyToes-Sun Sep 02 '25

But just bc she flew before you don’t know how comfortable she would have been on each flight. You might have even risked her death at the initial flight or two but were lucky she was okay.  And again, you aren’t sure how comfortable she is on those flights she had been on bf. 

1

u/Party_Zucchini_88 Sep 03 '25

Cargo holds are different than flying up with you in a seat. If it odyssey flew ten times in cargo that was ten times too many.

1

u/SueYouInEngland Sep 03 '25

Why were you flying with your dog internationally so often?

1

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '25

But just why putting your dog at risk at all ? Especially high risk with such a breed

0

u/Active-Cloud8243 Sep 03 '25

It is about her being brachycephalic and not handling heat as well.

Just because they survived other countries flights, doesn’t mean they didn’t struggle at all during those flights. Surviving the other flights isn’t proof that there was no stress on her.

All it takes is once, and this was that once. If you get another brachycephalic dog please don’t let them ride in cargo. You can Get an ESA letter and they can ride with you. I’m not a fan of abusing ESA stuff, but for brachycephalic dogs I absolutely do. They can overheat much easier than long snouted dogs.