United has just became the fourth popular airline to ban emotional support animals. Delta, JetBlue, Alaskan Airlines, and American already had them banned from all flights. This is a-paw-ling!
But why? Emotional support animals are not support dogs. These emotional support animals are self-registered, with no prior training needed to assist the owner emotionally. Support animals are specifically trained to help those with disabilities either preventing seizures, open doors, retrieve items, etc. So... why are emotional support animals no longer allowed free-reign on flights? Airlines have had interesting "emotional support" animals in the years, including peacocks, chickens, ponies, yes even fish!
Emotional support peacock anyone?
Emotional support animals were previously allowed to fly for free on many airlines. With pet fees starting at around $125, passengers turned to the cheaper route: claiming any animals they needed to fly with as an emotional support animal, having them fly for free! This cost the airlines plenty of money and they obviously wanted to end this. This ban comes after the Transportation Department announced a new rule that lets airlines reduce the number on emotional support animals allowed to fly. Airlines are still required to accept trained service dogs to help people with a disability, however, emotional support animals are no longer promised free boarding.
Again, emotional support animals are not service animals. Airlines are required to admit all trained service dogs aboard their flight. This crackdown on emotional support animals aboard flights has caused some uproar among their owners. Petitions are being signed due to this new ruff law. One emotional support animal states, "My adorable dog was always my rock during flights and I can't have him taken away from me now!" Dog-gone it!
Taking a stance on this, I think this law can be useful and also detrimental! What if some owners can't afford the certification and training of a service animal? On the other hand, what if animals harm others in the cabin due to this vague category of emotional support animals? What do you think about this law? Purrfect or Impawsable?
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