Support animals on planes: a discussion we have to have

Updated: October 12 and October 21, 2018

A few years ago, a dog defecated in front of me. Not a big deal you might think – except that I was on a cruise ship, in the buffet restaurant.

The dog was an “emotional support animal” for a woman who, admittedly, was deeply embarrassed. But the fact remains that a dog did its business in a place where people eat, creating a health and safety hazard.

I tweeted the cruise company at the time, but didn’t get a response. I still don’t know what policy that – or other – cruise companies have about these animals, but I do know that airlines are considering the issue.

There are reports that American carriers may ban “comfort” animals from their planes. Apparently monkeys, pigs, turkeys and other animals have found there way into the passenger cabin because they are regarded as essential companions for certain passengers.

However, a squirrel was rejected by Fronteir Airlines on the grounds that it was a rodent.

I honestly don’t understand the need or otherwise for people to have these animals. But I do know that they can cause concerns and discomfort to other passengers.

In a survey of airline crew, conducted by the Association of Flight Attendants among 5,000 flight attendants employed by 30 airlines, 61 per cent said that emotional support animals had caused disruption on flights.

Survey respondents reported animals showing aggressive behaviour including biting a flight attendant who was serving drinks, animals wandering around the cabin rather than staying in their designated place, and dogs causing disruption by barking.

There were also reports of bias against people with support animals, with other passengers assuming that the owner’s need for the companion was “fake”.

The union has called for action, with its president Sara Nelson saying: “The rampant abuse of claiming a need for emotional support animals in air travel is negatively impacting all passengers. It’s a safety, health and security issue.”

All this raises a few questions.

Does, for example, someone with an allergy or an aversion to animals have fewer rights than a person who needs this kind of emotional support?

Are airline seats.or ship cabins cleaned thoroughly after being used by these animals? Who is responsible if somebody steps in, or slips on, droppings?

It’s a discussion that must be had.