Investigation of dog death on plane

LONDON, July 20 (UPI) -- The owners of a dog that died on a British Airways flight say they will sue the airline for not refunding their fee.

The Daily Mirror reports Sheila and Ed Smith paid more than $5,000 to ship Joe, a 7-year-old Collie, to their daughter in Australia. The dog died from dehydration during a 24-hour flight from London to Sydney.

British Airways officials say they followed protocol and the dog was checked by a vet when the plane stopped in Bangkok. They say they transport around 13,500 pets a year.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is investigating the animal cruelty allegations.