Owner of dead kitten offered airfare plus $50

[February 16, 2011]  (AP) -- The owner of a hairless kitten that died after being shipped in the cargo hold of a Delta flight says the airline is only offering to refund her airfare plus $50.

Snickers froze after flying to Connecticut from Utah last month. A door latch malfunctioned in 10-degree weather and it took nearly an hour to unload her.

Heather Lombardi says Delta Air Lines initially told her she would get $2,900 for the cat and $290 for airfare, plus reimbursement for vet bills and even a freezer where she's keeping Snickers until the ground thaws.

Lombardi said Tuesday that Delta changed its offer to airfare plus 50 cents a pound, although there's a $50 minimum.

Delta spokesman Anthony L. Black describes the offer as a standard cargo reimbursement and says talks are ongoing.

[Associated Press]

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