The US Department of Transportation has proposed that only specially trained dogs qualify as service animals – putting an end to Americans bringing animals on flights free of charge as ‘emotional support’.
The move is in response to a massive increase in travellers bringing everything from goats, turkeys, ferrets, hedgehogs and sugar gliders to amphibians, insects, reptiles, rodents, spiders and snakes on board.
Airlines have been trying to crack down on the practice, saying the array of exotic animals poses a safety risk (aside from the obvious defecation danger).
The public will have 60 days to comment on the planned changes with officials pointing to a few areas where they particularly want feedback, including whether miniature horses should still qualify as service animals (yeah nah).
Passengers with service dogs would also have to fill out a form swearing that their pooch is a service animal and their pet has “the ability to either not relieve itself or can relieve itself in a sanitary manner” if taking a long flight.
That’s a big promise to make – maybe give them the aisle seat too?
