Don't want my boy to travel with a muzzle!!

[HUB'S MOM]

I need your help guys!!!
I'm moving to France in 1 month and the only direct flights from Los Angeles to Paris are operated by Air France or Air Tahiti Nui. I have booked my flight and everything with Air Tahiti Nui and I'm now finding out that they require (both airlines actually) that my boy wears a muzzle ALL THE WAY through France in his crate...for 11 hours!!! Just cause he's a Rottweiler! This is just inhumane and I HAVE TO FIGHT IT!!!
I have contacted the French Department of Agriculture (cause at first the airline told me it was probably the law of the country) but my contact there explains that this is my dogs right to not wear the muzzle and that I shouldn't have to comply but the airline won't let me. I had my contact forwarded me the laws back from 1982 that explains dog's protection rights and everything but here's what the airline manager says: "Air Tahiti Nui follows procedures as listed in TIM (Travel Information Manual) which is produced in association with IATA (International Air Transport Association). The latest information, listed in this manual, states that carriage of a Rottweiler to France requires that the dog be muzzled and crated in a rigid container. We are unable to make exceptions."
Please help me, I can't let that happen, my boy is the sweetest dog ever and I cant do that to him!
Thank you soooo much

[debbiej]

well, I don't know what to say about getting around the requirements. it is breed discrimination, and that's too bad.

but he isn't going to understand how unfair it is to be discriminated against. If I were you, I'd get the most comfortable muzzle you can find, make sure he can pant, eat and drink with it on (hope there is such a thing?) then put it on him and make it happy. "what a handsome boy" or treat time. anything but acting like you are doing something mean or nasty to him. he won't understand why you are unhappy about it, and that alone could upset him more than the muzzle. just my two cents.

[RottsNScotts]

Do NOT, for any reason, fly your dog in a muzzle!!!!! You would be putting his life at great risk. If he runs into trouble with it - misadjustment, breathing restriction, etc - no one will be there to help him.

Most airlines will now not fly short muzzled dogs - bulldogs, pekes, etc - due to the problems they have had breathing in flights.

[abbiesdogs]

we moved from the uk to spain last year drove through france with a rottie and a dobe neither of them muzzled. they were welcomed in every hotel we stayed through france and spain 5 in total. they didn't even charge extra!
good luck with the move:) abbie

[Kawakaze]

You could always muzzle him with a sabotaged muzzle, or just make sure its a size too big and he is not too restricted by it. I think if you dog got out of the cage in unfamiliar surroundings with loud scary jet engines and machinery he would probably freak out, which is bad for all concerned. Good luck in France, you should really visit Limoges and Bordeaux.

[harleychik66]

I'm sorry for the stress you're under right now. I agree that muzzling your boy for that long would IMO be cruel, not to mention risky. You said that the only direct flight requires a muzzle. What about a different flight that may require a layover or the changing of planes? I know it may take longer to get there but if it could be done without the use of a muzzle, it might be worth it.

Good luck and let us know how this all works out.

[Nishasmom]

If he does have to wear a muzzle, get the cage kind. Start practicing with it before the "big day". Let him wear it around the house, increasing the "sessions" gradually. Traveling will be stressful on him enough, better to prepare him in advance.

I hope you get this worked out w/ the airlines.

[debbiej]

I didn't know that muzzles could be dangerous. sorry.

[makjamz]

I completely agree with Janet - DO NOT FLY your dog into Paris with this or ANY airline if they require a muzzle. This is cruel, and could potentially endanger your dog - aspiration of emesis, or axphixiation are potential complications. Not to mention the prolonged alone time, fear, and stress this will cause - and that could be damaging for an indefinate time frame.

I have flown multiple dogs to and from Europe without such insane stipulations. Mind you never from/to France. You might try airports in CH or DE. I have used Delta, Swiss, American, SAS, United, British.

Keep us posted.

[jlaack]

Do NOT, for any reason, fly your dog in a muzzle!!!!! You would be putting his life at great risk. If he runs into trouble with it - misadjustment, breathing restriction, etc - no one will be there to help him.

Agreed. Can you search for another airline to transport him that doesn't have this restriction? It might just be that airlines policy. If you absolutely have NO alternative but to fly him with a muzzle, I would probably opt for the wire cage variety. The soft cloth ones are too snug and could cause breathing problems whereas the wire cage always a bit more airflow. Futher if you are muzzling him in flight you had best get him very comfortable with wearing the muzzle and being in his crate. If he stresses about either and then finds himself in a plane it would be a lot for him to handle. Still, I'd probably find an alternative. Yes the BSL aspect of this requirement sucks but the health concern would be a greater concern IMO.

[observer]

The only way around this is to fly different airlines, even if you can't fly direct -- but, from what you posted, it sounds like all the airlines flying into France have this restriction. So, the cage muzzle and working with him to get used to it is your only option.

[HUB'S MOM]

Thank you guys for the concern. I'm just hoping somebody could try to explain to me how to go directly to the IATA and fight it! Should I even get a lawyer?? cause we are talkin about my baby's rights now? He's not just a luggage and thats how they make me feel.
I dont think i could do 2 different flights there cause I dont think Ill find it in me to put him in another flight once we landed the first one!
He's now used to spend the whole night in his crate (about 10 hours) so thats good but the muzzle, I just dont agree to it!
And we're now 1 month away so I'm losing the $ on my current flight AND I would have to find a last minute flight on another country!!!
Its a ridiculous story, I still cant believe it! So INHUMANE!

[Kawakaze]

Cant you fly a different airline? Or sabotage the muzzle? :)

You have to consider the possibility that your dog may escape, im sure you would prefer him muzzled. If he escaped unmuzzled and freaked out due to the surroundings and noise he would probably be shot rather than captured.

I have one of the softest rotties in the world but i never forget that your layman thinks they are evil!

[Nishasmom]

Maybe you could get a vet note, and a trainer note to show the airline?

[jlaack]

Maybe try American Airlines...? There site specifically states when flying an animal to never put on a muzzle or a choke collar. https://www.aacargo.com/shipping/animals.jhtml It would be odd if they posted this information on their site but then stated dogs needed to be muzzled....

And we're now 1 month away so I'm losing the $ on my current flight AND I would have to find a last minute flight on another country!!!

I understand this stinks, but you probably should have thoroughly researched restrictions and expectations before booking the flight. Sure you could higher a lawyer but if the airlines have this policy and you bought the ticket anyhow, I'm not sure that you'd really have a case. Then again, I'm not an attorney. I hope you can transport him without a muzzle.