A state senator unveils legislation to protect animals traveling on planes.

It comes after a puppy died while flying on a United Airlines flight last week.

Senator Marisol Alcantara introduced the Pet Passenger Bill of Rights during a "dog-in" Sunday at LaGuardia Airport.

The law would make it illegal for animals to be placed in overhead compartments, and makes sure they have reasonable access to food, water and necessary medication.

It's named "Kokito's Law" — after the 10-month-old French Bulldog who died when a flight attendant stowed him in a overhead compartment on a flight from Houston to New York.

"So, obviously, our airlines think that dogs are like a regular luggage," Alcantara said. "That if I'm going to New York and you send my Tweety to Texas, it's okay because it's just a dog. And we are here because this young girl is in school. Everyone that has had a pet knows exactly what happens when you lose your animal. It's like losing a family member."

One day after Kokito died, United mistakenly flew a dog to Japan, instead of Kansas City.

And in a third incident, a United flight from Newark to St. Louis was diverted to Ohio because a dog was mistakenly put on board.