French Bulldog Rescued On JetBlue Flight After Facing Breathing Problem

A JetBlue flight crew is being credited with saving the life of a French bulldog after it started suffering from breathing problems while on board the plane. The latest incident comes after a series of accusations against airline companies over the handling of pets.

On Thursday, 3-year-old Darcy was traveling from Florida to Massachusetts with owners Michelle and Steven Burt when she started showing signs of distress, ABC News reported. According to the owners, the dog’s tongue began to turn blue. The JetBlue crew immediately rushed to the assist the dog and found it was having difficulty breathing. The crew quickly helped save the dog with an oxygen mask.

"We all are affected by cabin pressure and oxygen fluctuations, human, canine and feline, etc., but the fact that the Attendants were responsive and attentive to the situation may have saved Darcy’s life," Michelle wrote on her Facebook page.

"I placed the mask over her face, and within a few minutes she became alert and after a short time she didn’t want the mask," Michelle said, ABC News reported. "I believe [crew members] Renaud and Diane saved a life, some may reduce the value of the life because Darcy is a canine. I do not."

French bulldogs are more prone to respiratory problems, because of which, many airlines ban French bulldogs from flying in cargo holds.

"We all want to make sure everyone has a safe and comfortable fight, including those with four legs," JetBlue said in a statement to ABC News. "We're thankful for our crew's quick thinking and glad everyone involved was breathing easier when the plane landed in Worcester."

Airline companies came under scrutiny after several incidents took place last year where pets either died or got lost while traveling.

In March, a French bulldog named Kokito died after it was forced into an overhead bin by a United Airlines flight attendant. The flight attendant in the United Airlines plane bound for New York from Houston said she did not realize there was a pet in the carrier when she shoved it into the overhead bin.

“This was a tragic accident that should never have occurred, as pets should never be placed in the overhead bin. We assume full responsibility for this tragedy and express our deepest condolences to the family and are committed to supporting them,” United Airlines spokeswoman Maggie Schmerin said in a statement at the time.

Following the March incident, a Democratic lawmaker, Sen. Marisol Alcantara from New York, said she planned to introduce a bill that will avoid any future mishaps involving pets in airplanes.