Dot Regulations On Emotional Support Animals

In this As airlines are increasing documentation and other requirements for emotional support animals the DOT has now issued final rules on the matter.

Dot regulations on emotional support animals. Last week the DOT essentially rid the already-cramped aluminum tubes of emotional support animals which have heretofore been limited only by the imaginations and temerity. The following is meant as a general guide to the rules and regulations around emotional support animals. The DOT has supported the airlines rights to restrict animals less than 4 months old from flying as a service or emotional support animal.

Under the new guidelines only dogs may be designated as service animals and owners must attest that they are specially trained to provide services to the passenger among other requirements. Allows airlines to require forms developed by DOT attesting to a service animals health behavior and training and if taking a long flight attesting that the service animal can either not relieve itself or can relieve. No longer considers an emotional support animal to be a service animal.

Most airlines reacting to the DOT rules change are barring Emotional Support Animals ESA which limits support animals in the cabin to trained service animals. DOTs new rule also no longer requires airlines to recognize emotional support animals with the agency citing a number of reasons for the change. Emotional Support and Psychiatric Service Animals- Airlines can request specific documentation andor 48-hours advanced notice for service animals that are emotional support animals and psychiatric service animals.

The Department of Transportation has cleared the air somewhat on how airlines may decide which animals can travel in the cabin with their owners and flight crews are breathing easier. The US Department of Transportation has issued a Notice of Proposed Lawmaking and theyre seeking public comment over the next 60 days. The DOT notes it no longer considers an emotional support animal to be a service animal paving the way for airlines to ban them if they dont fit established rules about pets.

Unless it complies with the airlines pet policy. Friday August 9 2019 Yesterday the United States Department of Transportation DOT issued guidance to help travelers understand their rights while new regulations are being developed. United would continue to transport emotional support animals for reservations purchased before January 11 2021 for travel on or before February 28 2021 as long as all appropriate paperwork has been.

Requires airlines to treat psychiatric service animals the same as other service animals. That means you will no longer be able to bring your dog in the airline cabin with you. First the ACAA currently requires airlines to recognize emotional support animals as service animals.