CHICAGO, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Investigators are trying to find out why seven puppies died shortly after landing at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, officials say.
They were in a group of 14 puppies being shipped on American Airlines from Tulsa; the dead puppies were being examined to determine the cause of death, the Chicago Tribune reported Thursday. The dog breeds were not reported.
The dogs were being shipped to Chicago by an unidentified Oklahoma dog-breeder, and from there were to be delivered to pet stores in other states. However, only seven of them were deemed healthy enough to continue their journey, the paper reported. Five of the puppies held back died at the airport and two others died en route to or after arriving at clinics, the paper said.
"The animals were alive when they came off the plane," American Airlines spokesperson Mary Frances Fagan said. Baggage handlers noticed some of the dogs looked lethargic and took them to a holding area. "People were trying to cool them off," she said. UPI
