Airlines will soon be able to ban ’emotional support’ animals on U.S. flights, when new Department of Transportation rules come into effect, putting an end to endless stories of support chickens, rabbits, snakes and the like. Service animals, such as seeing-eye dogs are not affected.
The past couple of years have seen ongoing controversy over people who have bought certificates claiming that their flying pets are necessary for them to stay calm as they fly, although the untrained animals have been involved in a variety of attacks on passengers and crew and insanitary messes.
Revisions to the Air Carrier Act now defines a service animal as “a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.” Airlines can require 48 hours notice, where possible, for flying with a service dog.
Under the new rules soon to be issued, and to take effect 30 days later, emotional support animals will no longer be considered service animals, giving airlines the right to ban them; most U.S. airlines have already indicated they want to.
