THE US Department of Transportation announced that emotional-support animals will be banned from plane cabins, and only service dogs can fly with their owners.
The US DOT states that “carries are not required to recognize emotional support animals as service animals and may treat them as pets.”
Air carriers will only allow dogs as limit service.
The revised Air Carrier Access Act rules define 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,” according to the US DOT.
A person with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability will be allowed to bring their service dog onto the plane cabin.
Mental health professionals prescribe emotional support animals to owners to provide comfort and support, but unlike service animals, they are not required to have training in specific tasks.
Flying with a small pet inside the cabin can cost $125 or more each way on US airlines.
Policies will be set by individual airlines but must conform to the DOT rules, which will go into effect 30 days after the final ruling is published in the Federal Register.
In part, the new rule was prompted by an increase in service animal complaints from passengers with disabilities, a lack of clarify around the definition of “service animal”.
According to the DOT, misbehavior by emotional-support animals and disruptions caused by “requests to transport unusual species of animals onboard aircrafts.”
Pigs, peacocks and other unexpected animals have previously flown as emotional support animals.
American Airlines applauded the new rule, saying, “This new rule reflects a respect for individuals with disabilities who travel with legitimate service animals, which we share, while providing clear and practical guidelines that will eliminate the abuse of the system that has been a source of concern for our team members and customers,” a spokesperson for AA said.
“We look forward to the improved experience we’ll be able to deliver to our customers, especially those with legitimate service animals, as a results.”
More to follow…
For the latest news on this story keep checking back at Sun Online.
The Sun is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Download our fantastic, new and improved free App for the best ever Sun Online experience. For iPhone click here, for Android click here.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS.