Dog dies after being stuffed into overhead bin on United Airlines flight

A dog died on a United Airlines flight after a flight attendant insisted it be placed in the cabin's overhead bin.

The black French bulldog was in a pet carrier bag on United Flight 1284 from Houston to New York on Monday (Mar 12).

Another passenger on the flight, June Lara, wrote an account of the incident in a Facebook post.

She said that she was sitting behind a woman travelling with her two children and their dog.

"I sat behind the family of three and thought myself lucky - who doesn't when they get to sit near a puppy?" she wrote.

"However, the flight attendants of flight UA1284 felt that the innocent animal was better off crammed inside the overhead container without air and water. 

"They INSISTED that the puppy be locked up for three hours without any kind of airflow. 

"They assured the safety of the family's pet so wearily, the mother agreed."

She said that there was no sound or movement coming from the dog when they landed and opened his carrier.

"I held her baby as the mother attempted to resuscitate their 10-month-old puppy. 

"I cried with them three minutes later as she sobbed over his lifeless body. 

"My heart broke with theirs as I realized he was gone."

According to AFP via AsiaOne, United said it took responsibility for the death, saying pets should not be placed in the overhead storage compartments.

"This was a tragic accident that should never have occurred," the airline said in a statement, adding that it expressed its "deepest condolences to the family."