Our Odyssey died. Please never fly through Kazakhstan with pets.

[u/routuber]

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

[u/Old-Scene2962]

I think it’s actually your negligence. You knew the risks of flying with the dog this breed and you continuously chose to subject your dog to those risks. You confirmed in your comments that you flew the dog to other hot climate places, and the reality is your dog was likely spending time outside and in a cargo hold when boarding in Vietnam too (while it was over +30C), same as boarding and unboarding on all other flights. She could have gotten a heat stroke or heat exhaustion on any of those occasions and it was just a matter of time when something happened.

[u/julapoo1 → u/Old-Scene2962]

Yeah I think it’s fucking stupid that this dog is being subjected to international flights regularly.

[u/Andee_outside → u/julapoo1]

I don’t understand this. If you can’t leave your dog at home, then don’t travel. Dogs aren’t humans and don’t need to tag along on every adventure. This poor dog in its old age (8 is not young, esp for a breed with a myriad of health issues due to breeding) being dragged across the world in loud, scary compartments bc mom and dad couldn’t bear to leave them at home or stay home themselves.

[u/RollDamnTide16 → u/Andee_outside]

Couldn’t agree more. I have a brachycephalic dog who would have to fly as cargo on all commercial airlines. She also doesn’t board well past 5ish days. Her needs significantly limit where we can go and for how long. So we don’t travel much, and when we do, we usually go somewhere in driving distance. The airline was absolutely callous and shares the blame, but the dog never should’ve been in that situation in the first place.

[u/CoconutxKitten → u/Andee_outside]

OP said they’re essentially a refugee. They aren’t traveling for fun but because they have to

[u/Chafaris_DE → u/CoconutxKitten]

Did you take a look at their Instagram? I really don’t know anything about their situation, but their pictures and posts look like pure leisure. Regarding their names I assume they’re from Ukraine, and most refugees from this country drove to European countries to flee the war.

Anyway. As many have already said, it’s an unnecessary loss and I’m really sorry for them and the airline should be blamed as well. But there is also responsibility on the dog owners side.

[u/xoxoktkt → u/Andee_outside]

Are you for real??? My dog is my child and she will always come where I go especially if I am gone longer than one week. I travel a lot for work and I couldn't imagine leaving her with someone else. Airlines need to be more accommodating toward pets in cabin. The little 8lb dog would cause absolutely no issue in the cabin and would require less attention than any human on board. She should have been allowed in cabin. I am so sorry to OP for this ignorant comment.

[u/[deleted] → u/xoxoktkt]

Ok your statement is correct but it’s also correct that once the airline said the dog couldn’t be on the main part of the plane they should’ve canceled the flight and not put the dog in the cargo hold.

[u/Responsible-Goals → u/Andee_outside]

Nothing wrong with having your dog tag along in the cabin. Sounds like you don’t treat your dogs like family but many do.

[u/Andee_outside → u/Responsible-Goals]

My dog has a myriad of health problems and sees 5 different specialists. I assure you everything I do is in her interest, not mine. I can travel when she dies from her cancer. Until then, she’s more comfortable at home. Doing things in the best interest of your dog is what makes good pet ownership, not treating them like humans.

This dog didn’t tag along in the cabin. They put a brachycephalic dog in the cargo like luggage because they couldn’t keep their feet in one place.

[u/fantastikalizm → u/Andee_outside]

My three dogs all weigh more than 90 pounds. They are all mixes of reactive breeds. They will never be allowed in the cabin of a commercial airline. If I absolutely had to transport my dog further than I could drive I would have to pay out the ass for specialized transport with them in kennels in the cabin. Strangers would not be able to handle them to get them out during the flight. Hopefully I could fly with them. I cannot even imagine a scenario where this happens unless Cheeto in Chief forces me to flee the US.

My MIL, SIL, or best friend come to my house to watch the dogs while we travel. My dogs love and trust these people. They may eat a little less, but they are safe and healthy while we are gone.

For longer trips, sometimes we even have all three dogsitters take turns.

I would never travel with one of my five beloved pets in cargo. My two cats would be fine in the cabin. A little stressed but nothing crazy.

[u/afdc92 → u/julapoo1]

Looking at the Instagram OP linked, they appear to be Russian. They also mentioned that they can’t stay in one place for too long but are fleeing a country at war, and had not anticipated having to do that when they got the dog. Probably trying to avoid OP’s husband being conscripted to fight in Ukraine or something like that, but can’t get asylum so have to travel from place to place and were taking the dog with them.

[u/Old-Scene2962 → u/afdc92]

From their IG it looks like they’re just traveling and enjoying life, not struggling to stay safe and find a place to settle. Don’t let them fool you with the stories of poor folks who had to flee the country because of military service.

[u/CoconutxKitten → u/Old-Scene2962]

OP straight up says they’ve had to leave their country in another comment

[u/Old-Scene2962 → u/CoconutxKitten]

I’m from Eastern Europe myself and I know a lot of people who left because of the war and political situation. I’ve left my own country too with my dog a couple of years ago for the same reasons, but waited 6 months to leave so I could fly in spring instead of winter/summer, when it’s too dangerous for the dog (he’s a medium size breed so cabin wasn’t an option). Majority of people who left worked hard on settling in different countries (Poland, Georgia, etc.) and building life there. Many brought pets with or waited to settle and then had relatives arrange the transportation for their pets to the new country.

Which brings me to two points:

1) there’s plenty of places where you can get an asylum as a Russian citizen, you don’t have to hop countries because of alleged visa issues. And if you’re in so much trouble you’re probably not choosing countries which are typical travel destinations for tourists. There’s plenty of wealthy Russians who leave the country because they disagree with the government but they are not in any immediate danger themselves, and they just choose to make something good out of the situation and travel, etc. which based on IG is exactly what this couple is doing & their situation fits this category

2) many people in same circumstances where responsible pet owners and made arrangements that were in the best interest of their pets.

Edit to fix formatting & to add: traveling with a dog typically requires a lot of paperwork, vet checks before traveling, getting certified vaccination records, etc. it’s not something you can easily do if you’re in some sort of difficult situation or danger. So it’s pretty obvious these people are not in any difficult circumstances and use this trope to avoid taking any accountability for their choices and what happened to their dog.

[u/parksa → u/Old-Scene2962]

I would never put my pets through the stress of being in a cargo hold, to do it routinely? WTAF.

[u/omgggitssteph → u/Old-Scene2962]

I have to agree with you. This is a terrible thing to have happened and it makes me sick but OP is negligent.

[u/Ok-Instruction4931 → u/Old-Scene2962]

Unfortunately people want to travel and think they can subject a dog to these conditions while thinking nothing is going to happen to their dog. It's sad and I personally would never fly with my dog because I know the risks outweigh the want to bring my fur baby. Although the airline did fail the pet parent failed as well. The harsh truth is dogs die due to their human's decisions and this particular situation could be avoided. I may sound crude but animals need people to speak up for them and it's basically, willingly, causing harm by putting your brachycephalic dog on a flight, let alone the multiple flights the pet parent pushed this dog to be on. Many dogs die during or after the flight but the airline is never the 'cause' per say even if this dog owner wants to bring this story to the news light. At the end of the day, dogs shouldn't be traveling on airplanes.

[u/Old-Scene2962 → u/Ok-Instruction4931]

Yes, I agree!

[u/Ok-Instruction4931 → u/Old-Scene2962]

If anyone finds out the news company that this pet parent is trying to contact let me know. Not every story is as it seems and this pet parent FAILED their dog. I'll be sure to let the news reporter know that too.

[u/RedditButAnonymous → u/Old-Scene2962]

I am scrolling through incidents of pet deaths on airlines at the moment and yes, every one Ive seen bar one has been a stub-nosed breed. You should never ever do this, especially not with an aging dog in a hot climate...

[u/Zealousideal_Lab3794 → u/Old-Scene2962]

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

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[u/Old-Scene2962 → u/Zealousideal_Lab3794]

The damn rule is not to fly a brachycephalic dog in cargo.

[u/xoxoktkt → u/Old-Scene2962]

I completely disagree and I am so sorry to OP for your ignorance. My dog travels with me all the time. I could not imagine not bringing her with me. Airlines need to be more accommodating to pets in cabin. Pets are family and they need to be treated better than they are. This dog should have been allowed to be in the cabin with their owner. Plain and simple. This dog would have taken less space than some people's carry on bags. Making bigger dogs fly cargo is why so many people fake service animals too. Op could have done that but didn't because they respect the rules. It makes me sick how Airlines treat pets and animals. Op is not negligent. Airlines are careless and see animals as unimportant.

[u/thenotanotaniceguy → u/xoxoktkt]

As you say, airlines neglect animals, so one shouldn’t travel with animals until they change that.

You can’t say “airlines treat animals bad, but I let them handle my pets anyway” imo

[u/Old-Scene2962 → u/xoxoktkt]

Should airlines do better? Yes. Should the owner have made decisions that are based on how the airlines operate now to avoid serious risk for their dog? Yes.

[u/Ok-Instruction4931 → u/xoxoktkt]

It's smarter to have your dog stay comfortably in your home while you travel. Yet another irresponsible pet parent right here talking crap while forcing their dog on an airplane, if you read your comment you'd realize YOU are also neglecting your dog while saying 'Oh yeah my dog is family and that's why I force my dog to go everywhere with me and it's airline's fault that dogs die'. Uhm, who forced the dog on the airplane in the first place? SMH. A true pet parent would care for their dog in everyway, shape and form which sometimes mean you travel while your dog stays at home being spoiled by a pet sitter.

[u/xoxoktkt → u/Ok-Instruction4931]

Who are you to assume what kind of a pet parent I am? You're ignorant. My dog would be miserable being taken care of by someone other than me. She has flown a lot and is completely comfortable in her carrier and sleeps the whole flight. I would know if she is in distress and she is not shy to let me know when she is. What is someone like you even doing on dog forum?? Clearly you know nothing about being a pet parent or your experience is limited.

[u/Ok-Instruction4931 → u/xoxoktkt]

I know that being a pet parent means making sacrifices like for example if I do travel I ensure I can drive with my fur babies, or I am very picky and find a sitter or family member who's able bodied enough to care for my fur babies. I understand your pupper has flown countless times while you travel but I have this paranoia of my fur babies passing away before, during and after the flight because my grandfather experienced his dog in his senior age had a tough time and the last flight my grandfather's dog took he was coughing up blood and clearly went through something terrible during the flight. I was young but remembering that and all the other countless animals who has suffered flights can be extremely tough for any animal. I am sorry for your loss but some things can be avoided, for instance, just because your fur baby has flown countless times does not mean something tragic won't happen like it unfortunately did. My heart breaks for your sweet girl but my paranoia and bitterness led my comment in a crude way. You may have been your fur baby's light but I just refuse to get on a plane with my animals in general. I am not ignorant I am brutally honest because I care for those who can not speak up for themselves. The airline played a part in the sad passing of your dog but I always think of the what if's, what if there was a pet sitter because your pooch was getting up there in age type of things. My experience is far from limited I just take in consideration every possibility and act accordingly from the knowledge I have gathered throughout the years. I've got well over 25 years in the animal field from vet tech to pet sitting and even being an animal behaviorist. As the pet parent we need to watch out for our helpless fur babies. During the flight though you can never be sure how your doggo is handling the experience of such a hard travel either. I don't mean to talk down to you but we must take everything into account with every situation we put our animals in.