This policy comes as a result of untrained emotional support dogs and safety concerns.
Its very sad that this policy is being placed on service dogs as they are very different from emotional support dogs.
And to make the ban on pit bull type dogs seems unfair as several incidents were not related to pit bulls at all. So this doesn’t exactly solve the problem either.
Certainly there could just be stricter policies in place when it comes to emotional support animals.
Like temperament testing or looking further into the reasons why a pet is needed for emotional support, and not just a “fake”.
Maybe put stricter rules in place for people taking things too far, like the incident with the peacock trying to board United.
Today it seems ANY pet can be made an emotional support pet easily.
This is troubling, and could result in a ban of emotional support animals altogether.
Alot of these “fake” emotional support animals comes from people just being afraid to place their pet in baggage with the way pets have been treated.
Airlines should look more into policies instructing crew how to take care of pets on flights. From loading to unloading.
They will find people will be more comfortable leaving pets in their care. And less people trying to get their pet a safe seat next to them.
The more problems we have with emotional support animals the harder it is on service dogs.
Be aware and know the difference between those and service dogs.
Because service dogs go through years of training and are so desperately needed.
But you should always be cautious of any strange animal.
This is very sad.
See Mercury News Report.
**Service dog requirements change. Fidomingle update 2023
As of 2023 Delta policy on service dogs