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U.S. NEWS Thursday 23 January 2020

New rules could bump emotional-support animals from planes

By DAVID KOENIG way. lines carried 76,000 comfort
AP Airlines Writer "Airlines want all passengers animals in 2017.
The days of passengers and crew to have a safe Department officials said
bringing rabbits, turtles and and comfortable flying ex- in a briefing with report-
birds on planes as emotion- perience, and we are con- ers that they are propos-
al-support animals could fident the proposed rule will ing the changes to ensure
be ending. go a long way in ensuring safety on flights. They also
The U.S. Department of a safer and healthier expe- said some passengers have
Transportation on Wednes- rience for everyone," said abused the current rules.
day proposed that only Nicholas Calio, president of The public will have 60 days
specially trained dogs Airlines for America. to comment on the pro-
qualify as service animals, Flight attendants had posed changes, and they
which must be allowed in pushed to rein in support could take effect any time
the cabin at no charge. animals, too, and were after that. The Transporta- In this Sept. 20, 2017, file photo Oscar the cat sits in his carry
Airlines could let passen- pleased with Wednesday's tion Department proposes on travel bag after arriving at Phoenix Sky Harbor International
gers bring other animals on proposed changes. a narrow definition of a Airport in Phoenix.
board, but hefty fees would "The days of Noah's Ark in service animal — it would Associated Press
apply. the air are hopefully com- be a dog that is trained to
Airlines say the number of ing to an end," said Sara help a person with a physi- ment's rule against breed- completed by a specific in-
support animals has been Nelson, president of the cal or other disability. Pas- specific prohibitions "sends stitution, Rizzi said.
growing dramatically in re- Association of Flight Atten- sengers who want to travel a clear message to airlines The proposal also says peo-
cent years, and they have dants. The union chief said with a service dog will have that their discriminatory ple with service animals
lobbied to tighten the rules. untrained pets had hurt to fill out a federal form on practices are not only un- must check in earlier than
They also imposed their some of her members. which they swear that the sound, but against the law." the general public, and
own restrictions in response Veterans groups have sid- dog is trained to help them The new rules would also would end the rarely seen
to passengers who show ed with the airlines, arguing with their disability. A dog bar the current practice use of miniature horses as
up at the airport with pigs, that a boom in untrained that is trained to help a by many airlines of requir- service animals, although a
pheasants, turkeys, snakes dogs and other animals passenger with psychiatric ing animal owners to fill Transportation Department
and other unusual pets. threatens their ability to fly needs would continue to out paperwork 48 hours in official indicated the agen-
"This is a wonderful step with properly trained ser- qualify as a service animal. advance. A department cy is open to reconsidering
in the right direction for vice dogs. Last year, more Currently, passengers have official said that practice that provision.
people like myself who are than 80 veterans and dis- been allowed to bring can harm disabled people Airlines could require that
dependent on and reliant ability groups endorsed many other animals if they by preventing them from service animals be on a
on legitimate service ani- banning untrained emo- have a medical profession- bringing their service dog leash or harness and fit in its
mals that perform a task to tional-support animals in al's note saying they need on last-minute trips. But air- handler's foot space. They
mitigate our disability," said airline cabins. the animal for emotional lines could still require forms could limit passengers to
Albert Rizzi, founder of My "It's just interesting how peo- support. attesting to an animal's two service animals each,
Blind Spot, which advo- ple want to have the ben- The proposal would prohib- good behavior and health, although it is unclear how
cates for accessibility for efits of having a disability it airlines from banning par- which could present chal- often that happens under
people of different ability without actually losing the ticular types of dog breeds lenges if the form has to be the current rules.q
levels. use of their limbs or senses — Delta Air Lines bans pit
The U.S. airline industry just so they can take their bulls, for example – but air-
trade group praised the pet with them," Rizzi said. line employees could re-
tighter rules. Industry offi- Southwest Airlines handles fuse to board any animal
cials believe that hundreds more than 190,000 emo- that they consider a threat
of thousands of passengers tional support animals per to other people.
scam the system each year year. American Airlines The president of the Hu-
by claiming they need their carried 155,790 emotional mane Society of the Unit-
pet for emotional support. support animals in 2017, up ed States said airlines had
Those people avoid airline 48% from 2016, while the "maligned" pit bulls by ban-
pet fees, which are gener- number of checked pets ning them. Kitty Block said
ally more than $100 each dropped 17%. United Air- the Transportation Depart-