No More “Free” Flights for “Service” Dogs

By Amy Fernandez

Well, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is that with Westminster week moved to next summer, we’ve got almost half a year to dream up a new workaround for that time-honored tradition of flying dogs for free. Which brings me right to the bad news…the inevitable was announced on December 2. The Feds have cracked down on airline service animals across the board. As CC reported earlier this year, this legislation has been in the works for awhile. The Department of Transportation proposals drew over 15,000 public comments. And the resultant legislation that’s been hammered out will make it virtually impossible to bring bogus service dogs onboard US flights.

It effectively restricts the “service animal” designation to trained, certified dogs and eliminates the loophole that previously permitted everything from iguanas to goats in the cabin as emotional support animals. The new, much stricter rules, which take effect in January, have naturally triggered more than a little backlash.

Yes, individuals who genuinely require this travel option will suffer as a result. However, considering the widespread, flagrant abuse of current airline policies, this change was inevitable. Curt Decker, spokesman for the National Disability Rights Network, criticized the new rules as unfair to disabled individuals who will now face tougher restrictions and possible cargo costs to fly their animals. However, Mr. Decker did concede that things had gotten out of hand saying, “There’s no one in the disability community that thinks a turkey is a service animal.”

The regulations don’t impose an outright ban on emotional support animals. However, airlines will now have some leeway about refusing to fly with disruptive or dangerous animals in cabin. In addition to offering some protection to airline employees, it eases travel policies for owners of legitimate service dogs. They will no longer be required to personally check in at the gate and can instead use pre-boarding, online check-in options. The snag is that owners must provide proof that the dog is a genuine, trained, certified service animal. (So don’t even try using those hokey cards and vests you can get online.)

The new rules take effect next month. That gives you plenty of time to plan for Westminster. (wink)

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Posted by chesliepickett on Dec 17 2020. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.