Gol suspended for 30 days, starting this Wednesday (24), sales of the dog and cat transportation service, provided by GOLLOG Animais, and the Dog&Cat + Espaço product, for trips carried out in the aircraft’s hold. The decision came after the death of the dog Joca, who was sent to the wrong destination due to an operational failure by Gol.
According to the airline, the decision to suspend sales of these services is so that the company can dedicate itself fully to completing the investigation process into what happened.
Joca, a golden retriever dog, left Guarulhos International Airport (SP) and should have been sent to Sinop (MT). However, the animal was boarded on a flight to Fortaleza (CE). When the tutor, João Fantazzini, arrived in Sinop, he was notified about the error and returned to Guarulhos, to meet Joca, who would return from Fortaleza to the location. However, Fantazzini found the animal dead inside the company’s kennel.
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This Wednesday (24), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva charged Gol and the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) with the death of the dog. “I think Gol has to be accountable, I think Anac has to monitor this and I think we cannot allow this to continue happening in Brazil,” said Lula.
The president said he chose a tie with the design of a dog to wear this Wednesday in honor of Joca, as a form of protest. “My tie has a drawing of a puppy. I put it up in the morning in protest of what happened.”
“I hired Gol’s animal transport service”: what to do?
Gol informs that customers who contracted the transport of their pet through services that are restricted between April 24th and May 23rd will be able to opt for full refund of the amountincluding the cost of your ticket (in the case of Dog&Cat + Espaço).
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Another option is postpone the trip, free of charge, for after May 23 on flights until December 31, 2024.
Passengers who are at the destination of their trip and have one of the restricted animal transport services contracted for the return trip will be assisted if they wish.
Gol recalls that the “Dog&Cat Cabin” service, for customers who take their pets in the plane cabin, has not undergone any changes.
GOL airport teams will be available for questions or via the call center on 0800 704 0465.
Anac investigates Joca’s death
The National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac) initiated administrative proceedings to determine the reasons that led to the death of the dog Joca.
The process was opened after a request for information from the airline by Anac and a meeting between the Agency’s CEO, Tiago Pereira, and the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho.
“Anac asked Gol for details about the conditions for transporting the animal, sending it to a location other than the contracted location and the conditions for providing this type of service. The objective is to open an inspection process according to the findings”, says the agency in a statement.
Rules for transporting animals
Anac clarifies that the transportation of pets and emotional assistance animals, when offered by airlines, implies their responsibility for the animals transported from boarding to receiptapplying the provisions contained in the contract signed between the parties.
“In cases of damage caused to the pet or emotional assistance during transport, the air carrier must compensate the passenger”, says the agency in a note.
