In the last year, the emotional support craze has hit my apartments too. My apartments are no pets allowed, but I get a dozen calls from people who say I have to take their dog as a service animal. When I ask for certs, they say I cannot ask because I’m breaking the law.

I usually remind them that presenting an animal as a service animal when it is not is illegal, and they’ll need to provide the certs anyway when I’m defending myself in court. I also remind them that the animal cannot be in the apartment alone, you know, because service animals must be with you to provide service. That usually eliminates the fakers.

In the end, I find a better applicant who isn’t trying to pass off a 4-month-old puppy as an ESD.

Go United!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/...mals-0202-story.html

United tightens rules for emotional support animals

by Lauren Zumbach Contact Reporter
Chicago Tribune
Feb 1, 2018

United Airlines announced Thursday that it is joining Delta Air Lines in tightening rules for passengers flying with emotional support animals, requiring proof of an animal’s health and a promise of good behavior before allowing it in the cabin.

Federal laws require airlines to permit passengers with disabilities to travel with service and emotional support animals in the cabin, though airlines can require a statement from a licensed mental health professional documenting the passenger’s need for an emotional support animal.

Both service and support animals fly in the cabin for free, unlike household pets, for which United charges a $125 fee.

But emotional support animals don’t always have the specialized training service animals receive, and airlines said that as support animals’ numbers have grown, so have problems with misbehavior and disturbances.

United carried 76,000 emotional support animals in 2017, up nearly 77 percent from the year before, and noted a significant increase in incidents involving the animals on board its aircraft, spokesman Charles Hobart said.

The Chicago-based airline said the new rules are designed to “better balance protecting our employees and customers while accommodating passengers with disabilities.”

Starting March 1, United customers who want to fly with an emotional support animal will need to confirm that the animal has been trained to behave properly in public and acknowledge their responsibility for the animal’s conduct, in addition to the usual 48 hours’ notice and letter from a mental health professional.

Passengers also will need to provide a health and vaccination form signed by a veterinarian, along with the veterinarian’s assurance there is no reason to think the animal will threaten the health and safety of others on board or cause a significant disruption.

The airline is not changing any rules concerning trained service animals, which don’t require advance documentation or notice unless the passenger is traveling to a foreign country with additional regulations.

Editorial: Delta's smart move to bar phony support animals »

United’s announcement came shortly after the airline’s decision to bar an emotional support peacock named Dexter from a flight leaving Newark last week put the airline in the spotlight.

The timing was a coincidence, Hobart said. United already had been working on the new policy, and Dexter wouldn’t have been allowed to fly as an emotional support animal under United’s existing rules for reasons including his size, something United had told his owner before they arrived at the airport, he said.

“It further illustrates the need for change, and the need to revise and enhance our existing policies so customers are certain what they can bring on board and for the overall safety and comfort of everyone on board the aircraft,” Hobart said.

Airlines can refuse service or support snakes, reptiles, ferrets, rodents, sugar gliders and spiders, along with animals that are too large or heavy, pose a threat to health or safety, or would disrupt service. United said Thursday it also excludes hedgehogs, insects, nonhousehold birds, exotic animals and any animals that aren’t properly cleaned or carry a foul odor.

United’s new regulations are similar to those Delta announced earlier this month, which also take effect March 1. Delta also will require veterinary health records for trained service animals.

Delta said it carries nearly 250,000 service or support animals each year and saw an 84 percent increase in reported animal incidents since 2016, along with an increase in employee reports of service and support animals behaving aggressively.

“Ignoring the true intent of existing rules governing the transport of service and support animals can be a disservice to customers who have real and documented needs,” the airline said in a news release.

Other carriers, including American Airlines and JetBlue Airways, also are reviewing policies around emotional support animals.

American has noted an increase in the use of emotional support animals since 2016 and is considering additional requirements “to help protect our team members and our customers who have a real need for a trained service or support animal,” spokeswoman Leslie Scott said.

“We agree with Delta’s efforts and will continue to support the rights of customers, from veterans to people with disabilities, with legitimate needs,” she said.


lzumbach@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @laurenzumbach

I was shopping in a store in Ocala FL Monday and had to maneuver around a Lady with two large "Service" dogs.

American Airlines is jumping on the "No Emotional support Amphibian" crusade now. Crap. I guess newt is staying home next trip.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/...-20180514-story.html

I checked in for a flight last night and saw a girl checking in with her service dog. I could tell it was bullshit. The highly trained animal ended up pissing all over the jetbridge and ignoring its owners commands to move out of the way while it stood blocking the door.

The first thing I thought of was the old "WKRP in Cincinnati" bit.
"I swear I thought Turkeys could fly!"

That pretty bird would have gotten chucked out at 27,000 feet.

quote:

Originally posted by bdylan:
Crap...I'm guessing an emotional support vulture is now out of the question.

Correct, but Schumer doesn’t fly commercial anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by sigcrazy7:
In the last year, the emotional support craze has hit my apartments too. My apartments are no pets allowed, but I get a dozen calls from people who say I have to take their dog as a service animal. When I ask for certs, they say I cannot ask because I’m breaking the law.

I usually remind them that presenting an animal as a service animal when it is not is illegal, and they’ll need to provide the certs anyway when I’m defending myself in court. I also remind them that the animal cannot be in the apartment alone, you know, because service animals must be with you to provide service. That usually eliminates the fakers.

In the end, I find a better applicant who isn’t trying to pass off a 4-month-old puppy as an ESD.

There is literally no such thing as legal certification of service dogs. Any piece of paper someone gives you that says their dog is a service dog has the same legal meaning as a piece of Monopoly money.

quote:

Originally posted by Pale Horse:
I checked in for a flight last night and saw a girl checking in with her service dog. I could tell it was bullshit. The highly trained animal ended up pissing all over the jetbridge and ignoring its owners commands to move out of the way while it stood blocking the door.

Last year at SEATAC, I was waiting at the arrivals lane for my wife to pick me up. There was a lady with a "Service Dog" that started to hump a guys leg who was seated on a bench. It took all of my restraint to keep from asking her: "Exactly what kind of service does your dog do?".

New rule, if you can't get on a plane without your pet, you're not mentally stable enough to be locked in a pressurized tube with me at 30k feet. Mkay?

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt Neutron:
There was a lady with a "Service Dog" that started to hump a guys leg who was seated on a bench. It took all of my restraint to keep from asking her: "Exactly what kind of service does your dog do?".

Next time reach down and shove a dollar under his precious little fake vest. When the protest ensues, say you thought his service was being a stripper.

If you can't travel without your pet - you honestly should not leave the confines of your home without professional supervision.

When in need of a cuddly and loving support animal, I always want to have my Peacock near me.
It is a little poopy in the house, though.

I guess I better forget taking my pet Goldfish along now.

This is what happens when a therapy pet is denied.

https://aol.it/2KpS6vn

Why are emotional support insects banned? They don’t take up any room.
I guess I’ll just have to use the emotional support bed bugs at the hotel instead of my own.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
If you are so fucked up that you can't leave the house without an emotional support animal, you need to be institutionalized.

This^^^^

quote:

Further, as of March, Delta will not allow exotic emotional support animals including ferrets, insects, spiders , goats or animals with tusks or hooves to fly.

I hope they don't ban emotional support strippers