With passenger transport increasing, also the transportation of animals on board an aircraft has gained more relevance. However, animals are different from ordinary baggage or cargo. They are vulnerable and need special care, food and water. Moreover, a new phenomenon has came up, namely the smuggling of animals into the cabin. When they escape or are discovered they can not only cause panic among passengers but also other serious problems. It is problem that more and more airlines permit their passengers to take pets into the cabin and apart form questions relating to the protection of the animals as such this situation can also lead to medical problems on behalf of passengers which might, of course, lead to claims damages. Also animals may be injured and suffocate if their containers are not adequately ventilated or when they are exposed to extreme temperatures during transportation.
Thus, this paper attempt to analyze the efficiency of the regulation on the air carriage of animals by examining a specific portion of international rule relating to the animal transportation by air. In conclusion, the rules for transport of animals are rather satisfactory. Nevertheless, there are two weak points. The adherence to and the enforcement of the rules is not always strict enough, and the rules are not well known. Thus it is rather the practice which is not up to standard. Airlines and customs as well as airport authorities exercising baggage control have to watch more closely and should be alert that animals are not smuggled into the cabin by passengers.