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US ends era of emotional support animals on planes
US airlines will no longer be required to transport emotional support animals after passengers insisted on bringing on board their horses, pigs, peacocks and turkeys for psychological reasons.
Wednesday's rule change by the US Department of Transportation now says only dogs qualify as service animals.
The agency said unusual animals on flights had "eroded the public trust in legitimate service animals".
Airlines say the old policy had been abused and was dangerous.
The new rule defines service dogs as "individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability", and says other animals should be treated by airlines as pets that can be placed in the cargo hold for a fee.
Previously: The Confusion About Pets (archive)
"Emotional Support Animals" Riding With Owners Aboard Commercial Airlines Flights
(Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 04 2020, @08:31PM
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section
Service Animals
"Overview
...
Beginning on March 15, 2011, only dogs are recognized as service animals under titles II and III of the ADA."
...
"How “Service Animal” Is Defined
...
This definition does not affect or limit the broader definition of “assistance animal” under the Fair Housing Act or the broader definition of “service animal” under the Air Carrier Access Act.
Some State and local laws also define service animal more broadly than the ADA does. Information about such laws can be obtained from the relevant State attorney general’s office."
https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm#:~:text=Beginning%20on%20March%2015%2C%202011,a%20person%20with%20a%20disability. [ada.gov]