Puppy dies on plane after being 'crammed' into overhead compartment

A puppy has died on a United Airlines flight after attendants allegedly ordered its owner to stow it in an overhead compartment.

The 10-month-old French bulldog puppy was on United Flight 1284 from Houston, Texas, to New York.

It was in a TSA-approved pet carrier before attendants ordered it moved.

Passenger June Lara wrote on Facebook that he had been seated behind the family that owned the puppy.

He said the dog had been "crammed" inside the overhead locker without air and water.

"Today, I boarded my last United Airlines flight," he said.

In a statement, the airline said the incident "never should have occurred" and that pets should never be placed in the overhead locker.

The airline assumed full responsibility.

United has been hit with controversy in recent years, including an incident where passenger Dr David Dao was dragged off the plane by security officers in April last year.