Rise in onboard animal-related incidents prompts airline to tighten regulations | Inquirer
 
 
 
 
 
 

Rise in onboard animal-related incidents prompts airline to tighten regulations

/ 02:56 PM January 23, 2018

Image: istock.com/GummyBone via AFP Relaxnews

A dramatic rise of in-flight incidents involving animals urinating, defecating, or attacking other passengers has prompted Delta, a major United States carrier, to tighten the rules.

Along with proof of health or immunization records and signed letter by a doctor or mental health professional, passengers flying with service or emotional support animals will now also have to provide a signed Confirmation of Animal Training form, confirming that the animal can behave.

The new regulation comes after a particular turbulent year in animal-related in-flight incidents.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Since 2016, the carrier says they’ve seen an 84 percent spike in animal incidents involving service or emotional support animals behaving badly.

One particularly serious incident involved an emotional support dog that mauled a man, trapped in the window seat. The man suffered severe lacerations to the face and required 28 stitches, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported at the time.

Service and support animals travel free of charge.

ADVERTISEMENT

Every day, the airline says it carries about 700 service or emotional support animals; that’s nearly 250,000 a year. And they’re not just cat or dogs.

Customers have tried to pass off everything from turkeys, gliding possums, snakes, and spiders as comfort animals.

Ignoring the true intent of existing rules governing the transport of service and support animals can be a disservice to customers who have real and documented needs, the airline said in a statement: “…untrained animals that have been misidentified as service and support animals are regularly reported to occupy seats, stretch across the aisles and move throughout the cabin during flight, often without restriction.”

ADVERTISEMENT

More than ever, the airline says they will also consider whether the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or disrupt cabin service, before allowing them onboard. JB

RELATED STORIES:

World’s safest airlines for 2018 named

New year, new travel priorities for consumers in 2018

Want stories like this delivered straight to your inbox? Stay informed. Stay ahead. Subscribe to InqMORNING

Don't miss out on the latest news and information.
TAGS: airlines, animals, Delta, pets
For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.




This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.