Hand luggage or Cargo – notification of import form?

Hello, I am looking for some assistance regarding transportation of my 59 pound dog to Japan. I looked at the pinned animal transport information on this sub reddit but I couldn’t get a clear answer.

I recently received the following email from Japan’s animal quarantine services:

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The following items on the notification form are incorrect, please check your certificate and correct them.
・Cargo or hand luggage
　Is it "Cargo", right?
　"Hand luggage"…If you will leave your pet at check-in counter as checked baggage
or excess baggage of your flight, your pet will travel as "Hand luggage" and
it will be unloaded to baggage claim area of passenger terminal.
 
　“Cargo” (manifest cargo)… "Air Way Bill" will be issued by the airline.
In this case, your pet will be unloaded into cargo areas away from passenger
terminal, and arrival procedure will be done at cargo area of the airport.

——-

I booked my flight through ANA and they told me I would drop my dog off at the airport terminal and they would be placed in cargo.

So my question is my dog considered hand luggage or cargo?

Edit: I asked ANA and they weren’t sure what I was asking and said ask animal quarantine services.