For the third year in a row, United Airlines has the most pet deaths

Things just got even worse for United Airlines.

Two stories broke earlier this week about unfortunate incidents involving dogs: one pup who died after being forced into a carry-on baggage compartment and another who was mistakenly sent to Japan.

While it may seem like an anomaly, it's not. Turns out United has a particularly horrible track record when it comes to safely transporting pets. According to the Department of Transportation's latest data, 24 animals died on planes in 2018 and 18 of those deaths were at the hands of United Airlines.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

United's 18 deaths is double the number they reported in 2016, which saw nine deaths and 14 injuries.

American Airlines, Delta, and Alaska Airlines each had two pets die during travels and only one injury or loss for each of the airlines. That puts United at the top of the list for the third year in a row, despite their PetSafe cargo program. According to specific reports filed after each death, the animals ranged from dogs to geckos.

Mashable has reached out to United and will update this story with any comments.

[h/t HuffPost]