'Catnapping' incites call for stricter aviation law enforcement

Leonard Neill THE TALE of two cats, one of which died under the wheels of a vehicle which was due to have transported them to an awaiting aircraft at Johannesburg International Airport last month, has increased calls for more stringent observance of existing aviation regulations covering the transportation of live animals. "There are new regulations in place and service providers at all levels are required to be fully aware of them, and attend relevant training courses," says Dries Viljoen, managing director of training company Aviation Academy of Southern Africa. Live animal handling problems have been a major cause of concern at the country's major airport in recent times, with numerous instances of inferior handling and negligence having been reported to the authorities. A pedigree Ridgeback dog which bolted to freedom two years ago while being transported to an aircraft and was not recovered, resulted in press and television criticism being levelled at the airline and ground handlers. The two cats involved in the latest incident were placed in a crate beneath the standing vehicle in order to protect them from the sun, but the vehicle driver, who was absent at that stage, was unaware of their presence when driving off later to the aircraft, and rode over the crate. One cat died on the spot while the other is said to have run away, believed to be injured, and could not be traced in the airport surroundings. SAA staff were asked to keep a lookout for any stray animal, and an employee spotted the white female at the domestic arrivals section on January 11.