Alaska
Lawsuit: Alaska Airlines Killed My Dog
Alaska Airlines is responsible for the death of a dog who suffered breathing issues after being booted from first class, a new lawsuit claims. Michael Contillo of California says he confirmed with a vet that his two French bulldogs were healthy enough to fly from New York to San Francisco before the 5-hour flight in February, per NBC News. He says he purchased two first-class tickets for him and his father to ensure adequate space for the dogs, who would be able to board the flight early and avoid passengers who might trigger their anxiety. All went smoothly until just before takeoff when Contillo says he was told to move to coach “for safety purposes.”
Contillo relayed his fears that the move would be “extremely dangerous” for the short-nosed dogs in carriers, who would become “anxious and excited,” leading to “extremely dangerous breathing and heart problems,” which “could be lethal for a dog, especially right before you change altitudes,” per the suit. Airline employees allegedly “ignored everything that was said.” Following the move, the 3-year-old dog named Ash “immediately started to breathe very, very quickly,” Contillo tells the San Jose Mercury News. Contillo soon noticed Ash had “stopped moving but could not check on him until after a certain altitude had been reached,” per the suit.
The dog died, leaving a body that was “entirely in rigor mortis” by the end of the flight, according to the suit filed Oct. 16 in San Francisco, alleging negligence, negligent hiring and supervision, and breach of contract. As Contillo and his father wept, “no one stopped to show concern, offer condolences, or show the slightest bit of compassion,” though a flight attendant complained, “Now you’re going to blame us for killing your dog,” the suit alleges, per View From the Wing. It claims Ash died “because of the unjustifiable move” and that employees “should have known the requirements needed to avoid that happening.” The suit asks that punitive damages be determined at trial. (More Alaska Airlines stories.)
Junior Jayden Miranda on Friday became the latest player from West Valley High School to be named Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
“It feels good and it was definitely one of the goals that I had to check off my checklist,” he said. “I woke up, and I didn’t know. My coach told me, and it was just excitement in my heart. My heart was beating and I was just smiling.”
Miranda led the Wolfpack boys basketball team to a Mid Alaska Conference championship and the No. 1 seed at the 2026 ASAA 4A state tournament.
The 5-foot-11 guard also helped lead West Valley to a 22-4 record, and through 23 games, he averaged 14.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists as well as shooting 51.8% from the floor and 39.7% from the perimeter.
“Miranda is a great kid on and off the court — gets good grades and never gets in trouble,” North Pole head coach Travis Church said in a statement. “Looking around 4A, I don’t see anyone who would measure up. He’s the best player on the best team in the state. It’s hard for me to imagine going with anyone else.”
Miranda is the second player from the program to receive the award. The first was two-time recipient Stewart Erhart, who was honored in back-to-back years from 2022-23.
The award acknowledges a student-athlete’s athletic achievement, and also recognizes outstanding academic excellence and exceptional character displayed on and off the court.
Miranda maintained a 3.36 GPA and volunteered locally with the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, donated time as a youth basketball coach and is a practiced artist who has also taken multiple cooking classes in high school.
He and the top-seeded Wolfpack fell short of advancing to the finals Friday after losing 59-52 to fifth-seeded South Anchorage.
Teacher strike threats highlight fact that Illinois allows such walkouts
Does this diner serve the biggest pork tenderloin sandwich in Indiana?
Iowa lawmakers at a standstill over pipeline fight that could shape landowners’ rights
Kentucky vs. West Virginia – Second round NCAA tournament extended highlights
Louisiana’s health secretary wants AI on the phones and the website
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
See TSA Wait Times at Major U.S. Airports
Senate hopeful with deep Dem ties slapped with scathing complaint targeting alleged family payout ‘scheme’
How the Iran war is about to hit your wallet
Suspect in slaying of Loyola University student was in the country illegally, officials say
Video: Plane Collides With Vehicle at LaGuardia Airport
-
Detroit, MI5 days agoDrummer Brian Pastoria, longtime Detroit music advocate, dies at 68
-
Oklahoma1 week agoFamily rallies around Oklahoma father after head-on crash
-
Georgia1 week agoHow ICE plans for a detention warehouse pushed a Georgia town to fight back | CNN Politics
-
Science1 week agoFederal EPA moves to roll back recent limits on ethylene oxide, a carcinogen
-
Alaska1 week agoPolice looking for man considered ‘armed and dangerous’
-
Movie Reviews5 days ago‘Youth’ Twitter review: Ken Karunaas impresses audiences; Suraj Venjaramoodu adds charm; music wins praise | – The Times of India
-
Science1 week agoLong COVID leaves thousands of L.A. county residents sick, broke and ignored
-
Education1 week agoVideo: Turning Point USA Clubs Expand to High Schools Across America