Airlines ban emotional support animals after years of fraud and hazards

A major change when it comes to pets on planes: several airlines are banning emotional support animals from the cabin. While some of those animals are legitimately needed, other pet owners have cheated the system - to get their animals on board for free. National investigative correspondent Joce Sterman first exposed problems with the system in 2016, and now explores what's changed.

[@sarawhitmire7967]

This emotional support animal issue is completely out of hand!

[@sd.lulu.multipurpose5306]

This is why we need stricter punishments for lawbreakers. No need for misdemeanors! Treat them like a felon that they are! Go to prison!

[@bobby1970]

About damn time these airlines ban all these so-called emotional animals in the cabin. No one wants to smell a big pile of poop on a 5 hour flight, or worse yet, on a 14 hour flight from LAX to SYD.

[@ashdav9980]

This is a win for all citizens and those with legitimate service animals. Good.....now if this would expand to housing laws where MOST of the scammers are.

[@Ausgar-yc1yl]

This has nothing to do with service animals. Emotional support animals are not service animals.

[@leopardgal3337]

Thank God my dog is still allow he's a service dog there's a huge difference between service and emotional support mine was trained though a grouped call circle tail

[@merryhunt9153]

A peacock!? Peacocks are known for their stupidity. What are we supposed to do when it poops?

[@Zomboo]

I find many dog owners have parts of their brains missing or something...

[@mathisnotforthefaintofheart]

Excellent news!!

[@progressionsessions99]

Emotional support dogs were what we used to call pets , you might want them with you but you don’t need them

[@astro3]

@Tiny Princess for goodness sakes,. there are people with diseases that need A DAMN DOG

[@astro3]

@Tiny Princess ok but like i didn't ask?

[@PracticalPerry]

@Tiny Princess Incorrect. I went to law school and work at a law office. Pets are not service animals, but a service animal is a subsumed pet. The ADA does NOT say "emotional support animals are pets not service animals" whatsoever. A service animal can be for either a physical and/or mental disability, including for emotional support. The ADA is NON exclusionary when it comes to disabilities and the need for a service animal. Please stop stating misinformation.

[@PracticalPerry]

@@astro3 Tiny Princess is incorrect big time. I went to law school and work at a law office. Pets are not service animals, but a service animal is a subsumed pet. The ADA does NOT say "emotional support animals are pets not service animals" whatsoever. A service animal can be for either a physical and/or mental disability, including for emotional support. The ADA is NON exclusionary when it comes to disabilities and the need for a service animal.

[@PracticalPerry]

@Tiny Princess I never simply said "emotional support animal", if that is all you say, this is misleading, and can be deemed as a pet. RE-Read what I said: I went to law school and work at a law office. Pets are not service animals, but a service animal is a subsumed pet. The ADA does NOT say "emotional support animals are pets not service animals" whatsoever. A service animal can be for either a physical and/or mental disability, including for emotional support. The ADA is NON exclusionary when it comes to disabilities and the need for a service animal. I had, and will be getting another, Service Animal for my PTSD, which includes emotional support.

[@theresemalmberg955]

What did people do before there were emotional support animals? And how many people who claim to need them have actually gone through life-changing major trauma? By life-changing major trauma I mean war, refugee situations, losing one's home (and health) to storms, that sort of thing. EVERYONE experiences trauma of some sort at some point, that's called life. And what happens when that emotional support is taken away or is no longer there? Or are we not allowed to ask such questions?

[@nickkrikorian5909]

Landlords scam us but making us use petscreening in apartment complexes and making us pay 25 a month for what service. Its a scam

[@KB-si5fx]

ESA's are not the same as service animals...

[@sarcasticcat4982]

A dog trained for a specific task for a handicapped person IS NOT AN ESA!!! IT IS A FULL SERVICE DOG. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. YOU CAN NOT BAN A SD.

[@spankinjank]

when they interviewed the lady over video chat, did anybody see a picture of a guy who looked like Wayne Knight on the right side of the screen over the ladies left shoulder?

[@johnsamuels958]

Finally a good desicion

[@astro3]

@MA Cinnseallaigh there are people who need service dogs, this ban is temporary anyways until the people who approve these service dog licenses get their shit together

[@gloriawelch3603]

@@astro3 anyone needing a support dog to fly, shouldn't be flying.

[@Ausgar-yc1yl]

​@@astro3Emotional support animal are NOT service animals, and they are banned for good. There is NO such thing as a service dog license.

[@wfnwfowfnfwofno]

ESAs work? sounds like were confusing Service Animals with them.

[@thanos7245]

Good.

[@CrimsonHelldrake]

lol *the movie Idiocracy has become a documentary; they fuckin world is losing it's mind!*

[@RS-cd9cf]

So what’s his plan when his service / support dog dies and he becomes an emotional wreck because he now has now support ? I suggest get therapy and stop parading around stores and airports with your pets , this is encouraging bad behavior! What did the soldiers do when they got back from ww1 through to Vietnam? Pucker up buttercup

[@RS-cd9cf]

@@liftedgifted6010is your mindset of a 4?year old ? 🙏🏻😿

[@TheSarahJane33]

They had crippling PTSD and killed themselves.

[@PracticalPerry]

Under the law, "emotional support" is a service, and those with disabilities, conditions that affect a major life activity, can have a service animal for a psychiatric disability under the law. Many people who have been diagnosed with PTSD have service animals. The issue (and question-) is a service animal for PTSD could definitely be considered a service animal that provides "emotional support". So this is gonna 'cause problems. Does this guy call his dog a "PTSD Service Dog" I don't think so, but I am wondering? I went to law school. I also have PTSD and have had a service dog before for the PTSD. I need another service dog.

[@sd.lulu.multipurpose5306]

Wrong you fucking dumbass. Emotional support animals and service dogs ARE NOT THE SAME! Look up the Americans with Disabilities Act! It states it everywhere and even has it as a question! Before you start making incorrect comments and harassing others on another comment stream. Get your fucking facts straight.

[@sd.lulu.multipurpose5306]

Also, there is a such thing as psychiatric service dogs. 100% DIFFERENT FROM EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS!

[@lonewolf4429]

Just because something is a law doesn't make it right. Most "service animals" are simply pets and Grandma just doesn't want to be separated from Lulu her Chihuahua. The vast majority are abusing the law and making it more difficult for people with real disabilities to have their service animals with them. Emotional support animals should not be considered service animals..

[@sd.lulu.multipurpose5306]

@@lonewolf4429 exactly, the problem is, a law is only as strong as the ones who enforces them. Unfortunately, no law enforcement company knows or cares about it. Saying “they deal with criminal law” wtf is federal law then?! Your backyard law? My dog in the photo has been nearly attacked on numerous occasions because pets who claim their a fucking service dog gets violating around her. Luckily I can pick her up but one day I’ll be getting a 50 lbs dog and I will be able to kick and spray the pets.

[@PracticalPerry]

@Tiny Princess u are totally incorrect. Reread my message above. I went to law school.

[@songhenry1084]

It’s wrong to ban all emotions support pets

[@msmakos1]

Unfortunately, those who abused the system are the reason they are banned. We can’t have nice things when it’s ruined. Don’t ruin service dogs though. You’ll fight 31 years and millions of handlers before you destroy our chance.

[@msmakos1]

@Zachary Sheffield there is no such thing as certifications for emotional support animals or service dogs. It’s the doctors letter that is required for the animal. Even then, January 2021, Air Carrier Access Act actually changed the term of emotional support animal to pet because people abused the system just to bring their pet without paying the fees.

[@msmakos1]

@Zachary Sheffield excuse me! Do you have a legitimate service dog or a fake “certified” Service dog? Because your speaking to a legitimate task trained none illegally certified service dog. She’s not certified Because it’s illegal and a a major scam. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act there is no such thing as a certification, documentation or registration. ADA is the federal law. If you certified your pet as a service dog your committing a felony crime.

[@msmakos1]

@Zachary Sheffield also, certifications and registrations don’t hold gold EVER in American court! Good luck arguing with a judge who knows the federal law down to the t.

[@tj.espygil4544]

Emotional support pets are not allowed in most businesses. Service animals are always allowed.

[@gotfoodstamps]

This ban is BS, esa animals may not be $$$$trained to perform a service but they provide people with a real medical condition to be mentally stable and get through life, punish the people who’s pet is aggressive and bit somebody, not all esa pet owners. I hope this law gets reversed.

[@93ImagineBreaker]

so basically they're a pet