American Airlines flight attendant bitten by emotional support dog, requires five stitches

[DesertRat]

An American Airlines flight attendant was bitten by an emotional support dog on a flight from Dallas to North Carolina Monday, prompting union calls to further tighten rules on in-flight animals.

The unnamed male flight attendant required five stitches on his left hand when he returned to Dallas, American spokesman Ross Feinstein said. The type of dog was not disclosed.

"What happened on yesterday’s American Airlines flight is completely unacceptable and inexcusable,'' the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA said in a statement late Tuesday.

"We need the (U.S.) Department of Transportation to take action now, so events like the one that happened yesterday do not continue to occur on our planes,'' the statement said. "This is fundamentally about maintaining safety, health and security for passengers and crew, while ensuring accessibility for those who need it.”

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2019/07/23/american-flight-attendant-bitten-emotional-support-dog-dallas-north-carolina-stitches/1808632001/

[msongs]

1. they are a scam so people can drag their pets with them everywhere they go IMO nt

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. Yep. And while various exotic animals

have been claimed as "emotional support" ones, the majority are dogs.

Have you ever noticed that cat owners are far too sensible to try to take their cats with them everywhere?

[shanti]

9. Thank you!

There are actually more cat owners than dog owners too. ALL dogs should be muzzled! I don't care how "friendly" they are either.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

11. Or, and I know this is a novel concept,

just leave Fido home.

Either that or us cat owners should start bringing our cats everywhere, except we wouldn't subject them to that kind of stress.

[essme]

30. We have a small terrier mix who unfortunately

looks like a cartoon character. She's that cute- and I am not kidding. Little children used to point at her and yell, "it's Bolt!!"

You would not believe the number of parents that allow SMALL children to run towards us. She's a sweet dog, but any dog will bite if startled. We have to watch constantly when we walk her--- fortunately she's really small- 15 pounds-- so we can just snatch her up out of reach.

She's 17 now, and can't see anything hardly anymore, so we have to be super vigilant....and it STILL happens.

We would never take her on public transportation....not because of us...but, because other adults seemingly lose their damned common sense around her.

[Bettie]

49. My children have been taught from the time they were toddlers

to ask if they can pet the dog.

Usually, people say yes, but my kids can take a no.

My 18 year old son still goes up and says, "May I please pet your dog?"

[3catwoman3]

79. When I am out walking in my neighborhood, I often...

...come upon people walking one or more dogs. Even if a dog approaches me with tail wagging, I will ALWAYS ask, "Is it OK to make friends?"

If the answer is yes, I stand still, hold my hand out low with my palm toward me, and let the dog come to me. I've read that dogs who have been hit by humans can feel very threatened if you hold your hand out with your palm facing the dog.

[pnwmom]

56. Many dogs will bite if startled by a small child -- but not all. We've had multiple dogs

over decades and not one of them has ever snapped at a human, much less bitten somebody.

But yes, it is up to owners to be vigilant.

[PoliticAverse]

12. It's usually the cat that's too sensible to go everywhere with their owner. n/t

[Retrograde]

19. Mine screams all the way to the vet's and back

I did once have a cat who liked to ride in the car, and always seemed interested in being at the vet's. He was an exception (and none too bright).

[CentralMass]

27. I had a cat who loved riding in the car as well.

[essme]

32. Our cat- Maude-- SLEEPS through storms

On the way to the vet, she just looks at us like "well, this is it, isn't it? You are abandoning me..."

[pandr32]

38. I see cat emotional support animals often.

They look quite unhappy in shopping cart seats.
I also have friends that fly with theirs, so the sensible ones you mentioned are in company with senseless cat owners. I do agree, however, that the majority of "emotional support" animals are dogs--as are service animals, period. Cats are making the scene, though and we will probably see more and more being dragged along.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

62. "Emotional support animals" ARE NOT SERVICE ANIMALS

The difference is the training.

SERVICE DOGS receive up to TWO YEARS of intensive, exhaustive training. The vast majority of organizations involved with training service dogs have certifications and licences, and state/national credentials.

I wish people would educate themselves on the difference between the two distinctions.

[alphafemale]

104. Oh. No EFFING way.

My cat will yowl bloody murder.

Terror projectile shed. Vomit. Sh_t. And body flounce in it all.

Within the one mile to the vet.

These are the reasons I will not be participating in any hurricane evacuations if they ever come.

[WA-03 Democrat]

35. Yes

You can declare anything a service animal by buying a collar tag. This is so people who don’t want to play the $50 can get their pet on the plane. Pit bull mauled a 4 year olds face in PDX last year. Total racket and dangerous. There needs to be some certification of service animals.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

61. Therapy/support animals are NOT SERVICE ANIMALS.

There is a difference and the difference is HUGE.

Even the VA hospitals and clinics have taken the step of refusing admission of anything other than a trained, certified SERVICE DOG. It is very rare for a service dog to bite or attack anyone, unless that person is attacking their handler., in which case they should be bitten. They are trained in such a way as to prevent that from happening.

[Ilsa]

96. Thank you for making the differentiation.

There are many kinds of specially trained service animals that are not emotional support animals, which are essentially pets.

[Blue_Tires]

93. +1

[TheCowsCameHome]

39. +1,000,000,000,000....

Agree. The system is being abused on a wholesale level.

[raccoon]

48. That's a big 10 four. NT

[Blue_true]

54. I am waiting for one to check in with an emotional support cobra.

People that abuse that should be ashamed, their are people that truly NEED emotional support animals, if this keeps up, they will lose that benefit or have to jump through loops to retain it.

[Demovictory9]

76. exactly

[LanternWaste]

87. That's certainly the trendy bullet point these days. Front-of-the-t-shirt material right there.

[Beringia]

2. Why not just require muzzles

[shanti]

10. Right?

It's astounding that this is not a rule.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

63. Most responsible service dog handlers will employ a muzzle.

Especially on an airline flight.

[zackymilly]

23. Can we get one for Trump?

[TheCowsCameHome]

41. It would be the size of a peach basket.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

3. Did the dog have proof of rabies vaccination?

If not, I hope it was held in a shelter for a week or two.

And I hope the flight attendant sues the crap out of the human with the "emotional support" dog.

Honestly, if you need some stupid animal for "emotional support" to be able to fly, then stay home. Or drive.

I wonder if Greyhound Bus allows this bullshit.

[DesertRat]

5. Good question, so I looked it up

Emotional support dogs, which help people who suffer from emotional conditions such as fear and anxiety, are permitted on many airlines in the U.S. The Americans with Disabilities Act does not consider emotional support dogs to be service dogs, thus these animals are not permitted on Greyhound buses.

https://getawaytips.azcentral.com/travel-pets-greyhound-2278.html

And neither does Amtrack:
https://www.amtrak.com/service-animals

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

6. So how is it the Greyhound people can limit

animals to actual service animals, and the airlines can't?

[DesertRat]

14. I think the airlines make their own guidelines.

[Retrograde]

16. At a guess

Greyhound's clientele tend to be lower-income than many airline passengers, and not as likely to sue or cause a stink if Fluffy can't sit on their laps or run loose during a long bus trip.

[Sgent]

29. Greyhound, Amtrak, etc.

fall under the ADA which as pointed out doesn't make provisions for ESAs.

The ADA doesn't apply to airlines, but rather the Air Transport Act does which has provisions requiring ESAs.

Same deal with ESAs and residential real estate (its a different law, not the ADA that applies).

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

45. Thank you for that clarification.

It's time the ADA should be applied to airlines.

I, for one, generally don't care for dogs. If I ever got seated next to someone with an emotional support animal I'd raise holy hell. My seatmate would have genuine need of an ESA once I was done.

[Ace Rothstein]

86. The ADA applying to airlines would be problematic.

Imagine having to have a wheelchair accessible toilet. Every airplane in existence would need a multi-million dollar retrofit completed.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

103. And thank you for pointing that out.

But are the toilets on Greyhound buses wheelchair accessible? Somehow I'm inclined to doubt that.

Still, there needs to be a lot more limit on the bullshit emotional support animals.

[zackymilly]

24. I wonder if Greyhounds are allowed on Greyhound buses. nt

[Lucid Dreamer]

94. I know virgins are allowed on Virgin Atlantic planes. nt

[zackymilly]

95. Ba-boom! nt

[Haggis for Breakfast]

64. THANK YOU.

[Ms. Toad]

18. So people with severe depression or anxiety

Who can live relatively independent lives with an emotional support animal should just curl up in a ball because it offends your sense that people who can't tough things out on their own should just stay home?

There are certainly people claiming that pets are emotional support animals, and that needs to stop.

But the suggestion that people who need an animal for emotional support should just stay home is offensive.

[JI7]

21. i would say MOST people who have dogs would not drag their dog around like this

and these people would say dogs are emotionally supportive to them.

most would find someone to care for their dog while away. if one actually cared for their dog they would consider this.

[Ms. Toad]

66. NOT the point.

It is pretty clear my post was not discussing people who drag ther pets wtih them, but people with severe depression or anxiety for whom emotional support animals can make the difference between functioning in the world and being severely impaired by their conditions.

[silentEcho]

31. Emotional support dog does not fall under ADA. Support dogs MUST be trained for specific

reasons. Because a dog makes us feel better does not comply with the law. A dog must be trained for specifics. Unfortunately too many people are abusing this law taking away from the very people we want to help. It also puts service dogs at risk since the dog is trained to be submissive and will allow attack from other dogs. It is selfish for people to use this law because they do not want to pay added fees or simply because they feel so privileged that they ought to bring their dogs anywhere.

[Ms. Toad]

67. Emotional support dogs are not expressly defined under the ADA

as a specific accommocation. But the ADA is broadly written to require accomodations that are not expressly ennumerated.

I'm obviously not talking about "a dog (that) makes us feel better." I expressly mentioned people with disabling depression and anxiety disorders. Descrbing something that allows people living with these conditions as "mak(ing) us feel better," is offensive.

[silentEcho]

71. ADA does expressively talk about emotional support animals as not being the same as a service dog.

That a company has the right to ask two questions.

(1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and

(2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

The ADA makes a distinction between psychiatric service animals and emotional support animals. If the dog has been trained to sense that an anxiety attack is about to happen and take a specific action to help avoid the attack or lessen its impact, that would qualify as a service animal. However, if the dog's mere presence provides comfort, that would not be considered a service animal under the ADA.

Dogs must be trained to be considered support dog. Part of that training is submissiveness. That puts service dogs in a vulnerable position. That is why it is so important to respect Law. For both the dogs that are trained to be submissive to allow them to provide a task for the disabled and for the people that need these animals.

[Ms. Toad]

74. That's the definition -

for purposes of expressly including service animals as a mandatory accommodation.

Not an exclusion of support animals under the general umbrella of the ADA

[silentEcho]

75. Emotional support dogs. Yes, it is an exclusion. If that dog is not trained as a service dog,

then a company can deny that dog. Companies do not because then the customers cry foul. Companies allow it. People abuse it. And you have these situations. But yes, it is exclusionary language of the emotional support dog.

[Ms. Toad]

77. Have you read the ADA?

The ADA is a very broad mandate to accommodate disabilities. There are very few specific accommodations mandated by the law.

Subject to the provisions of this subchapter, no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity.

Implementing regulations do have some specifics - including requiirig accommodation for service animals https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/28/35.136

BUT - the fact that accommodation for service animals are mandatory, per a specific regulation, does not mean that entities cannot also be required to accommodate emotional support animals under the more general provisions.

That's how the ADA works. If an accommodation is not expressly required by regulation, it falls under the general provisions. To excluded a requested (but not ennumerated) accommodation for a service animal under the law (cited above) or the general regulation (below), courts would need to determine that the emotional support animal was not a reasonable accommodation for that person's disability (i.e.one that is necessary to avoid discrimination - in this case preventing the person with an emotional disablity requiring a support animal) would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity.

Since service dogs are mandatory accommodations (by reglation), it would be a pretty tough case to make that accommodating an emotional disability by allowing the support animal to travel with the individual would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/28/35.130

(a) No qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any public entity.

(7)

(i) A public entity shall make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures when the modifications are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability, unless the public entity can demonstrate that making the modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity.

[virgogal]

37. What do you think people did before

this emotional support animal insanity started,stay home ?

[Ms. Toad]

68. Some did - yes.

And many still do. Have you ever been around someone with disabling depression or anxiety?

[Trumpocalypse]

42. I'd say yes

One person’s rights end where the next person’s begins. There are people who are allergic to dogs. Several hours on a plane with a dog would make them very ill.

[Ms. Toad]

69. Dos that mean service dogs have to stay home, too? n/t

[Trumpocalypse]

82. Don't have to stay home

They use to put pets in the cargo hold of planes. They should go back to that.

[Ms. Toad]

88. You are aware that practice had stopped

Or been significantly restricted because it kills dogs, right?

Not to mention that a service dog is pretty useless that far away from it's master .

[Trumpocalypse]

89. I'm more concerned with humans

[Ms. Toad]

97. Apparently only humans who are able-bodied enough to function

without their service animals or emotional support animals.

Should people in wheelchairs, pregnant women, amputees, also stay hidden lest they inconvenience "real" humans?

In case I need it:

[Trumpocalypse]

98. Please don't put words in my mouth

But as I said before, one person's rights end where the next person's begins.

[Ms. Toad]

99. I'm not putting words in your mouth.

If you insist on service dogs riding in cargo, your caring about the needs of humans is limited to those who are able-bodied enough not to need service animals.

Putting a service dog in cargo deprives the owner of their presence when they may need the dog to function (e.g. to warn of a seizure that could happen flight). Further, doing so may kill the dog because of inadequate temperature and pressure control, depriving them of the tools they need to function in the world for far longer.

[Trumpocalypse]

100. Yes you are

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

46. It's the complelte and utter bullshit and

making a mockery of the intent of allowing ESAs on a plane that has me here. But more to the point, the fucking emotional support animal should be properly trained, and NEVER NEVER NEVER bite anyone. If the person who needs the ESA is okay with others being bitten, well, what I want to say next would probably get this post hidden and I'd be on some sort of warning.

But some basic consideration for others should come first. Okay, having a properly trained animal should come first. But I guess you're okay with the support peacock? The support 300 pound pig? Support animals that shit all over the place? You might be, but I'm not. If you can't have your support animal trained and safe around other humans, then, yeah, stay home until you accomplish those tasks.

[Ms. Toad]

72. Aside from the tone,

I agree with what you are saying in this post.

Any animal that is used to accommodate a disability should be properly trained for public behavior around people and other animals. I have no problem with certification at least as to temperament and behavior training.

My problem with your initial post was the derisive tone you used toward people who might actually have conditions that can be mitigated by using an emotional support animal - and the suggestion that they just hide themselves away if they are too weak to go out without a support animal.

[Codeine]

47. No, but they should be required

to ensure their animals are trained to the same standard as any other service animal, and the guidelines for being able to claim they need one should be tightened up and standardized.

[Ms. Toad]

73. I agree completely. n/t

[Haggis for Breakfast]

65. Offensive indeed.

Frequently people who express this particularly lack of sensitivity are the first ones to scream when their needs are ignored.

[TheBlackAdder]

81. The FA could request a rabies test, of course that means the animal needs to be put down first.

[htuttle]

7. Emotional support animals require no specialized training

Which is a problem. You see them out in public where dogs aren't normally allowed to go, and you might think they are a well trained service animal (you know, in 'working' mode). But they're not.

[silentEcho]

33. That is exactly why the emotional support dog does not fall under ADA law.

[customerserviceguy]

8. Time to scrap this silly-assed notion

of the "emotional support animal", at least how it is carried out currently. If a dog is trained to the standards of a seeing-eye dog, fine, but making someone's pit bull something sacred just by putting a piece of cloth on it has got to go.

[madaboutharry]

13. I can see a Veteran with PTSD legitimately having an emotional support dog.

But the system, imo, is being abused.

No one has a perfect life and everyone has problems and challenges. And millions of people have dogs, dogs that they love.

I adore my dog and he loves me. But I am not interested in having him tag along with me everywhere I go. The last place I would want him is with me on an airplane. Frankly, I don't get it.

Today I saw a new sign on the door at Trader Joe's: "Service Dogs Welcome. Other Dogs Not allowed."

A Service Dog is not the same thing as an emotional support dog. Service Dogs go through very specialized and specific training.

[DesertRat]

15. I agree 100%. nt

[JI7]

22. +

[Midnightwalk]

34. Agree too

I’m not sure whether they need the same level of training as a service dog but there needs to be training and certification to standards to guarantee the public’s safety especially in tightly enclosed places like planes.

I personally don’t care whether other places like bars allow pets. I can leave any time I want or not stay at all if it’s badly managed.

[Kablooie]

40. A Veteran with PTSD would probably have a psychiatric service dog.

It is a trained service dog that would be allowed anywhere other service dogs are.

And emotional support dog wouldn't be appropriate.

[madaboutharry]

43. I can see that would be the case.

I expect to see more signs in public places like the one I saw today at Trader Joe's.

The people who legitimately have a dog with them will have the proper service dog.

[Retrograde]

44. Thanks for clarifying this

I didn't realize that there were actual trained service dogs that can help people with PTSD.

Trained service dogs are amazing to watch. When they're on the job they are focused on supporting their human despite all the tempting distractions. I've seen them act unfazed on crowded city buses. When the harness is off, they're free to act like dogs again, but when they're working they're all business. And they don't bark or snap at strangers.

[CottonBear]

84. Publix allows only trained service animals in their stores.

The sign also specifically states that NO service animal may ride in a grocery cart.

They had to do this because people were putting their pet dogs in grocery carts which is completely unsanitary and in violation of Health Department regulations.

[Retrograde]

17. Why not just take a stuffed animal

instead of a living security blanket?

[Luciferous]

20. Emotional support animals are a load of crap. I've seen people trying to bring their pets

into the grocery store with them- really?! People are ridiculous.

[Codeine]

50. Every grocery store I go into now

has someone toting their fucking furball in their cart. That is beyond unacceptable and should absolutely be outlawed.

[Luciferous]

57. Yep, it's gross.

[lpbk2713]

25. A pet owner usually knows if the pet can be aggressive to strangers.

I back the union on this one.

[zackymilly]

26. Brought to airports: Monkeys, peacocks, pigs, ducks, snakes, miniature horses, birds nt

[lunasun]

60. A turkey . Really how supportive can a turkey be? I dunno . Imagine sitting next to a large turkey

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/fowl-play-passenger-brings-emotional-support-160550372.html


https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fFyg2IeZwttubNGyXM5q9Q--~A/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9NDUwO2g9ODAwO2lsPXBsYW5l/

Delta Airlines
https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/9N8ch9oLTnnLZHnpAnnLBw--~A/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9MTI4MDtoPTk2MDtpbD1wbGFuZQ--/

But a woman in a summer romper? No way !!!
American Airlines
https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/video/doctor-wearing-romper-says-she-was-kicked-off-plane/vi-AAE5IZn?pfr=1

[Codeine]

70. As a vegan I have an emotional support Tofurkey.

I have to admit, it’s kinda fake.

[MontanaMama]

78. So where does the turkey

go to the bathroom? Doesn’t look like it’s wearing a diaper...turkey poop is VERY pungent. Yuck.

[lunasun]

80. There is a white towel under the turkey . If you are sittting in the seat next to the turkey and it

poops and it stinks , well could say that’s really just your opinion I guess. Probably a plastic bag the owner has and then they signal for flight assistance to dispose

Thanks for having me imagine sitting next to a pooping turkey on a full flight for hours
As if just imagining sitting for hours with a turkey was not enough

[cbdo2007]

90. Last Thanksgiving, a turkey was all the emotional support I needed to make it through the holiday.

Sure it was dead, and the sides really helped. But still the rest of my family would have been unbearable without it.

[zackymilly]

91. The tryptophan the our turkey gave us relaxed us all. RIP n/t

[lunasun]

92. Tryptophan and yes the sides ACTUALLY do help with the feeling of relaxation , calm or

even falling asleep . Turkeys are high in tryptophan

L-tryptophan (the full name) is an amino acid that's found in foods like turkey. Your body uses tryptophan and turns it into a B vitamin called niacin. Niacin plays a key role in creating serotonin, a neurotransmitter that's associated with sleep and melatonin levels (a hormone that controls your sleep-wake cycles).
Serotonin boosts stable well being + some say happiness

But it’s not the whole story. You see, eating tryptophan will not immediately impact serotonin levels.
Tryptophan is qone of many different amino acids that are contained in foods like turkey. And all of those amino acids compete in the body to get transported to the brain. Tryptophan really is one of the least represented amino acids in those foods, which means that it gets shoved out of the way by the others.

But one thing that allows tryptophan to easily enter the brain is eating carbohydrates with turkey Carbs cause your body to release insulin, which removes all amino acids—except tryptophan—from your blood. That means that tryptophan has no competition and can enter the brain easily, boosting serotonin levels.

So with Thanksgiving the relaxation and feeling you’d like to rest probably has as much to do with the carb-loaded stuffing , buns , other side dishes and pie that you're eating as it does with the turkey
The happy eater then results from what one could call an “ emotional support meal”
I think you have something there - eating the turkey may result in better positive emotions than flying with the bird which I would find a hassle myself

[Princess Turandot]

102. Here's the peacock..

from 2018. They were booked on a flight from NY to LA. The owner bought him a ticket!

[Beakybird]

28. My dog is too cute.

My world would fall apart without my 7 lb. Kiki.
They almost didn't let Kiki on the plane, but I said that her fleas were emotional support fleas.

[KT2000]

36. training for service dogs begins

when they are puppies. It is a long process that includes further specialized training for the person's disability. They do not lose their cool under stressed circumstances.

Are these emotional support dogs required to have training or are we at the mercy of someone's pet who may or may not have the social skills required for an airplane trip. It was bad enough when I worked an environmental booth at local fairs. People brought their dogs and we were supposed to think it was cute when dog fights broke out or a large dog pestered a small dog.

[MurrayDelph]

51. I travel with my dogs all the time

But I drive. That way, the biggest concerns are where we're going to stop for the night (usually LaQuinta), and where to make pit stops (Usually Petco and PetSmart, so I can bring her in with with me).

[Codeine]

53. And while most dogs hate planes

they all love a road trip!

[flamingdem]

52. In Los Angeles people don't bother with emotion support certification

They just bring their dogs into grocery stores, Apple Stores, clothing stores... and it seems to be tolerated. Restaurants might be an exception.

[Codeine]

55. All over SoCal.

Grocery stores are like PetSmart now, a dog in every third cart. Utterly absurd.

[LiberalFighter]

58. How many really need an emotional support dog?

A stuffed toy might do the job better.

[Aristus]

59. This is just one of many reasons why I don't fill requests for notes authorising

'emotional support animals' for my patients.

My thing is: if the pet you keep for 'emotional support' (aren't all pets for emotional support?) can't go there, you probably shouldn't go there, either.

[Meowmee]

83. The majority of dogs, cats and others

Taken on planes never bite or hurt anyone. I took one of my beloved cats with me nearly everywhere, she was so calm and she never needed a carrier except at the dvm and once on a plane. I regretted the plane because we nearly crashed. After that I took her out of the carrier for a bit on the connecting plane to sit on my lap.

[DFW]

85. Did the dog look anything like this?

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

Who needs that kind of emotional support? Was the owner/passenger's name Mitch McConnell?

[hunter]

101. I'm certain my emotional support dogs would hate flying more than I do.

I'd never ask that of them.

If anyone is going to bite, it's going to be me.