AFL star Nathan Broad and wife Tayla reveal Qantas’ ‘disgusting’ treatment of their dog Charlie

AFL star Nathan Broad and his wife Tayla have taken to social media to share how “disgusted” they are over Qantas’ treatment of their pet dog.

The Perth-born couple, who live in Melbourne, both took to Instagram to reveal that their French Bulldog, Charlie, was left in a crate for several hours, claiming that they “only found out because he never rocked up on the flight he was due to be on.”

The Richmond defender was the first to break the news, sharing a photo of Charlie to his Instagram story on Tuesday.

“Qantas left my French bulldog in Melbourne airport in a crate for 8 hours. Not putting him on the flight he was booked for… Then, they tried to put him on one later in the day. Total of 14 hours in a crate without food and in the heat. Their excuse was, ‘Our system was down’. You belong in a crate, you useless airline!”

His wife, former Love Island star, also shared updates to her story, calling the treatment “disgusting” and “animal abuse”.

“Our poor Charlie was meant to embark on a flight early this morning. Instead, he has been left at the airport in a crate,” she said.

“Qantas didn’t notify us of any changes, so my brother has been waiting at Perth airport to collect him for hours.

“No one can tell us where Charlie is. Just that he didn’t get put on his morning flight. We are unsure if he is currently in the air or still stuck inside a crate at the airport.”

The mother-of-one also claimed that “every person” they speak to gives them a “different answer” regarding where Charlie is.

A Qantas spokesperson said the animal didn’t make its original flight but was regularly checked on.

“Unfortunately, the pet was unable to travel on its scheduled flight and was put onto the following available flight later in the day,” they said.

“Our team regularly checked the pet was okay, refilled their water and ensured the crate was clean. The crate was kept under cover in our freight terminal while waiting.

“We know how important it is for people to know their pets are well cared for when travelling with us.

“We’re sorry for the delay, and we’re working with our pet travel agents to ensure we can get them where they need to go as soon as possible.”

Qantas added that due to additional health requirements, Brachycephalic breeds — such as French bulldogs — require bookings through third-party pet travel agents.

Tayla Broad later revealed that the “amazing team” at Departure Pets found Charlie and returned him to their depo to give him “water, food and care.”

She revealed that she and her husband collected Charlie later that day, returning him to their Melbourne home.

“Home safe,” she revealed a photo of her cuddling into their family on her Instagram story dog on her Instagram story.

“This is breaking our hearts, though. He is so rattled. Couldn’t get up our stairs due to exhaustion,” she added.

Broad also shared a video of Charlie drooling, claiming it’s “excessive” and that the dog is “dehydrated” and “anxious”.

“@qantas you have a lot of explaining to do,” she said.

“We will be making reports to the @rspca_vic, Animal Cruelty Victoria and @peta.”