Joca died while being airlifted from Gol in April this year; Golden’s death has raised questions about the treatment of pets
The federal government presented, this Wednesday, 30, a set of guidelines to improve the safety of air transport of petsdriven by the tragic case of Playa golden retriever died while being transported by Gollog, a company linked to the Gol airline. The announcement was made by the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, in Brasilia.
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The new plan, called Plan to improve the air transport of animals (PATA), establishes measures that aim to guarantee the well-being of companion animals during travel. Among the main guidelines are the traceability of animals along the route, veterinary support available at airports for emergency situations and the creation of a direct communication channel with owners to clarify transport rules and provide updates on the status of the flight.
Furthermore, the plan provides for the availability of quarterly data on animal transport by airlines and periodic training of teams.
Airlines have a 30-day period to adapt to the new rules, and the National Agency for Civil Aviation (Anac) can impose sanctions on companies that do not comply with the guidelines. Minister Silvio Costa Filho underlined the importance of these changes, stressing that “the animal cannot be seen as baggage”.
Joca’s case caused a stir across the country. In April, the dog was mistakenly sent to Fortaleza (CE) instead of Sinop (MT), extending his journey from two and a half hours to almost eight hours.
Unfortunately João Fantazzini, Joca’s guardian, found his pet dead upon arrival at the airport. The episode led to the formation of a working group which, since August, has been coordinating the unification of the rules for the transport of animals, in collaboration with the ANAC and animal protection bodies.
“This really moves me because I know how different the reality is here in Brazil. I am very happy, I wanted to thank everyone who worked hard to achieve this victory,” João said during the presentation ceremony of the new guidelines.
Although the São Paulo Prosecutor’s Office closed the investigation into Joca’s case in September, citing a lack of evidence for a formal accusation of mistreatment, the new guidelines seek to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future. PATA represents a step forward to ensure safer and more humane air transport for pets in Brazil.
The new rules include:
- Adoption of international standards;
- Implementation of traceability systems;
- Improved communication between airlines and tutors;
- Continuous team training;
- Provision of veterinary assistance in case of emergency;
- Quarterly reports on transports carried out.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
