The U.S. Department of Transportation just proposed new rules that would bring an end to this era of emotional support animals on planes.
If their rules take effect, the only service animals that would be allowed on flights are dogs. That means no pigs, no miniature horses, no turkeys, no peacocks . . . just dogs.
The DOT worded their proposal carefully to make sure they were being sensitive to people with legitimate needs for support animals . . . but they're cracking down to limit people who "falsely claim their pets are service animals."
The number of complaints about wild service animals on flights has jumped from around 700 in 2013 to more than 3,000 five years later.
The president of the Association of Flight Attendants says they're happy with the proposal. "The days of Noah's Ark in the air are hopefully coming to an end."
If you want to comment on the possible policy change, it's open for public comments for 60 days.
Obviously the Americans with Disabilities Act allows persons with disabilities to bring their trained service animal with them anywhere, whether other animals are allowed or not--that law isn't changing. The proposed rule is to crack down on the people who buy fake "service animal" vests for their pets on Amazon just so they can bring them to places where pets typically are prohibited. Unfortunately, this happens so often, that new laws are having to be written. But trained service animals are absolutely still permitted to go anywhere their owners go.
I've seen so many stories about "emotional support" turkeys, peacocks, snakes, and all kinds of other ridiculous animals that aren't trained to perform any type of service function. I'm glad something is actually being done to curb the people who are abusing the law.
[NBC News]
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