P&O Ferries is reviewing its policy on animals after a dog died during a crossing.
The ferry company’s rules state passengers cannot stay in their cars with pets, but cannot take them out of the vehicles either.
The Telegraph reported that Kirsty and Deane Wallace, who were travelling from Calais to Dover with their sons and three dogs, returned to the car after the four-and-a-half hour crossing to find their pet pug, Merlin, unconscious.
The family’s attempts to resuscitate the dog failed.
Almost 10,000 people have now signed a petition calling for dogs to be allowed onto the decks of ships.
P&O Ferries said the area where the family had parked was ventilated but that they would review their policies.
A post on the company’s Facebook page said: “Many airlines refuse to transport certain breeds of dogs, notably pugs, bulldogs and other brachycephalic breeds, due to the respiratory issues from which these animals are prone to suffer.
“P&O Ferries, which carries more than 50,000 pet dogs a year of all breeds, is reluctant to stop offering a service to the owners of certain breeds, believing that owners are best placed to judge the suitability of conditions when transporting their animals.”