Airline passengers have attempted to fly with all manner of unusual animals in the name of emotional support.
But travelers may not have to share a row with someone’s peacock, duck, rabbit, turkey, pig, miniature horse, or iguana for much longer.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) wants to crack down on unorthodox service animals—and fraudulent claims of their requirement.
New rules would redefine a “service animal” as a dog—and only a dog—individually trained to work or perform tasks for a person with disabilities (physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or mental).
Proposed changes, meanwhile, nullify emotional support critters as service animals, meaning carriers may treat your cat, parrot, chicken, or kangaroo as a pet—and charge accordingly.
There has been an increase in the reported number of “service animals” on airplanes, some of which carriers claim are simply pets masquerading as emotional support animals.
While the DOT “recognizes the integral role that service animals play in the lives of many individuals with disabilities,” it also wants to curb false claims of pets as service animals, which travel for free.
“Passengers are increasingly bringing untrained service animals onboard aircraft and putting the safety of crewmembers, other passengers, and other service animals at risk,” according to the 94-page proposal.
Trade association Airlines for America (A4A) applauds the DOT’s recommendation regarding emotional support animals, praising Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao for providing “clarity.”
“Airlines want all passengers and crew to have a safe and comfortable flying experience,” A4A CEO Nicholas E. Calio said in a statement. “And we are confident the proposed rule will go a long way in ensuring a safer and healthier experience for everyone.”
The public has 60 days to comment on the proposed amendments.
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