US government tightens airline rules over carrying emotional support animals

US aviation rules decree only dogs will be classified as service animals

Airlines in the US will no longer be obliged to transport "emotional support animals" following allegations that some passengers were abusing the concession.

Under the new rules, announced by the Department of Transportation, only dogs will be classified as service animals and be allowed to travel free.

Other animals will be classed as pets, which means they can be transported in the hold and their owners will be expected to pay for their transport.

US transport officials felt compelled to act amid complaints that passengers were stretching the definition of emotional support animal to include a small horse, pigs and on least one occasion, a peacock.

There have also been a duck, a chicken, a turkey and even a kangaroo.

Brooklyn artist Ventiko attempted to take an 'emotional support peacock' on a United Airlines flight in 2018

Credit: FACEBOOK

Airlines for America, which represents the aviation industry in the US,  estimates that the number of emotional support animals on commercial flights soared from 481,000 in 2016 to 751,000 in 2017.

Proposals to tighten the rules received 15,000 responses from the public.

“Airlines and other passengers have also reported increased incidence of misbehaviour by emotional support animals on aircraft and in the airport," the US Department of Transportation said.

While the animals may have provided emotional support for their owner, they often created stress for other passengers. 

Passengers on a 2017 flight between  Hartford, Connecticut and Washington DC  were upset when a 70lb emotional support hog started howling and then defecated in the aisle.

Therapy animals have also triggered litigation, as when a passenger was mauled by an emotional support dog — a labrador-pointer mix — and required 28 stitches.

Under the new rule, a service animal is defined as a dog which is trained to perform tasks for somebody suffering from a disability including psychiatric conditions.

The stipulation bans airlines from denying boarding to a dog based on its breed, but they can refuse to carry an animal which appears aggressive or poses a threat to passengers or staff.