Pugs (哈叭狗) can't fly (note 1)

Cathay Pacific is in the doghouse (note 2) with pet lovers (愛寵物的人) after banning (禁止) snub-nose dogs and flat-faced cats from its flights.

The carrier, which says flying is a health hazard (危害健康) for the animals, brings in (開始) the ban from Monday. But animal rights groups and pet owners raised howls of protest (大聲抗議) at Hong Kong's carrier for "over-reacting" with its blanket ban.

Cathay says snub-nose, short-snout and flat-face animals - dubbed "brachycephalic breeds" - have an increased risk of heat stroke (中暑) and breathing problems when exposed to stress or high temperatures.

Brachycephalic animals include 17 dog breeds - such as pugs, Boston terriers, boxers, chows, bulldogs, mastiffs and shih tzus - as well as Himalayan, Persian and exotic shorthair cats. Cathay's corporate communication manager for media relations, Maria Yu Chi-sum, said the decision was motivated (note 3) by concerns in the industry about the safety of transporting the animals.

"Safety is the No 1 priority (首要考慮) of Cathay Pacific at all times - and that covers the safety of live animals we transport," she said. But the chief veterinary surgeon (獸醫) with the SPCA, Jane Gray, said yesterday: "While I can understand the thought behind their concern, I feel a blanket (note 4) ban regardless of age, gender or general health of animals appears to be a little bit of an over-reaction (反映過敏) on their behalf."

She warned there might be an increased risk of "abandonment, even euthanasia (安樂死)" because of Cathay's new policy. An SPCA spokeswoman said the health risks associated

with flying are not limited to certain breeds. "It's not just a matter of breed but more a matter of the physical condition of the animal," she said. Animals already require strict medical clearance (note 5) to travel on airplanes. Typically, they must have an updated medical history of a week or 10 days to show they are fit for flying.

Cathay Pacific will be joining Singapore Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines, which have already banned the boarding of snub-nose dogs.

From good to better English:

(note 1) can't fly=不准空運。這標題十分調皮，源自pigs might fly (不可能發生)。例句: Ivan says: I’ll pay you $1000 per piece. Victor responds: Yeah, pigs might fly (Ivan說每篇文章稿費是1000元。Victor說: 你真會說笑。Julian simply flew down the street= Julian沿著大街飛奔而去。Fly a kite =放風箏、 試探輿論。Fly(名詞)=蒼蠅。a fly in the ointment=美中不足(a drawback)。

(note 2) in the doghouse=挨駡；受恥辱(in great disfavor or trouble)。Dog=狗；獵犬、卑鄙的人，無賴、劣質品。A lazy dog=懶傢伙，懶骨頭。A dog in the manger=狗占馬槽、占住自己不能享用的東西又不肯給別人享用的人。

(note 3) motivated=激發。motivate 的同義詞有embolden, encourage, inspire, inspirit。.

(note 4) a blanket ban=全面禁止、一刀切。Blanket=毛毯，絨被。a blanket of snow=一層雪，白雪皚皚。stretch the blanket=誇張。 Mi Mi throws a wet blanket over Victor’s plan to start a language school= Mi Mi使Victor的計畫掃興，潑冷水，使他的銳氣受挫折。

(note 5) strict medical clearance=嚴格的健康檢驗放行證(official certification)。Clearance=清除，掃除，除去。Clearance sale=大減價(a sale, generally at reduced prices, to dispose of old merchandise)。

Victor’s View: The new rule puts many a pet love in a catch-22 situation. If she can’t migrate to Canada with her pet dog, she might be heart-broken. If she insists on taking the dog onboard, she might risk it suffering from heat-stroke.

(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 3 books on English-enhancement and plans to write 7 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)