With the Joca case, airlines are studying tracking animals transported on flights

The airlines reported this Thursday (25) to study, on an emergency basis, the https://twitter.com/Silvio_CFilho/status/1783527814823649671 of aircraft for flights. The information was released, in an official note, by the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, on a social network. Representatives from the companies Gol Linhas Aéreas, Latam and Azul Linhas Aéreas met with the Ministry of Ports and Airports and the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC).

At the meeting, they also committed to presenting, within ten days, proposals and suggestions to improve the conditions of air transport of animals on domestic and international flights.

The meeting takes place after the death of Golden retriever Joca, 5 years old, last Monday (22), after being sent to the wrong destination by Gol.

Wanted by Brazil Agency, the president of the Brazilian Association of Airlines (Abear), Jurema Monteiro, said that the sector will contribute to the solution. “We, in the airline sector, are together with the Ministry of Ports and Airports committed to contributing, ensuring above all safety, which is a fundamental and priority element of air transport”, she declared.

National policy

The ministry said that, by June this year, it will launch a National Animal Transport Policy (PNTAA) with the aim of ensuring greater safety and well-being for animals. The future text will take into account the contributions presented by civil society, Parliament and airlines.

The department has scheduled a meeting for next Tuesday (30) and will invite representatives from the National Congress with the aim of seeking suggestions to improve the quality of the service provided, in addition to analyzing bills on the topic currently being discussed in the National Congress.

Anac will be responsible for carrying out a public consultation to improve procedures. The regulatory agency also plans for next week, on a date to be announced, to hold a public hearing with public participation channels.

The hearing also seeks to review and improve the text of Ordinance 12,307/2023, which regulates the general conditions for the air transport of animals on passenger flights in Brazil.

The current rules apply to all species of pets, including guide and emotional support dogs (companion animals that help the individual deal with aspects of mental and emotional health).

The ordinance also deals with the air carrier’s obligations, such as making it clear how the animal must be checked in (whether in the passenger cabin or in the aircraft’s baggage and cargo compartment); charging for the service; admitted species; weight allowance; and number of animals per flight, among other rules.

Measurements

With Joca’s death, Gol suspended the animal transport service in the aircraft hold for 30 days.

This Wednesday, Anac initiated administrative proceedings to determine the reasons that led to the golden’s death and requested information from the airline about his transport conditions.

One day earlier, on Tuesday (23), the National Consumer Secretariat of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (Senacon/MJSP) notified the airline to provide clarification.

The São Paulo Civil Police will also investigate the case and await the autopsy reports on the animal’s body.

Joca died in a shipping box after air transportation failed by Gol. The animal should have been taken to Sinop (MT), on a flight lasting around 2h30, but its destination was changed by error. Joca was transported to Fortaleza and then returned to Guarulhos Airport, in São Paulo, resulting in around 8 hours of flight time. On a social network, tutor João Fantazzini expressed his sadness at the loss of Joca. “You are the love of my life forever! I will miss you every day!” .

Repercussion

Joca’s death has mobilized demonstrations by anonymous people, celebrities, authorities and animal protection organizations, with demands for those responsible to be held accountable, for the adoption of safe measures in the air travel of domestic animals and for the dissemination of environments pet friendly.(places with adequate facilities to accommodate dogs and cats).

Animal advocate Luisa Mell called for strict safety protocols. “Our furry ones are not objects! They cannot be treated like suitcases! “How many animals will have to die for any concrete action to be taken?” she asked.

The Patruska Institute for the Protection of Animals and the Environment asks parliamentarians to approve the Joca Law, arguing that airplane holds are a strange and unsafe environment for animals, and to mobilize owners for peaceful protests at the country’s airports.

First lady Janja Lula Silva declared, on the X network, alongside minister Silvio Costa Filho, that Joca’s death https://twitter.com/JanjaLula/status/1783178768170856900?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet. The two cited measures adopted so far.

Several owners have paid tribute to Joca on social media and asked that animals be treated with dignity on planes. In a video, which went viral on social media, four dogs of the same breed as Joca, a poodle, a mutt (of no defined breed) and three cats display signs asking for justice for Joca and say that they are not baggage.