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Alaska Airlines Imposes New Restrictions On Emotional Support Animals

Alaska Airlines

Starting in October, you’ll only be able to bring cats and dogs to serve as an emotional support animal on all Alaska Airlines flights.

The company announced the updated policy – one of the most restrictive in the industry – on Thursday. "Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in situations where people are abusing the policy and bringing untrained pets on board. In several cases, these untrained pets have injured crew, flyers and even service animals," an Alaska Airlines spokesperson said in a statement.

Over the past year, some passengers have tried to hitch a ride with anything from a peacock, to a pig, to a hamster, prompting both outrage and encouragement from social media. Two years ago, a passenger snagged a Delta Comfort Plus seat for an emotional support turkey.

Emotional support animals don’t have to be trained to lead a blind person, for instance. Instead, they comfort their owners, who must have a qualified mental health condition, by just being nearby.

But airlines have begun to crack down on what kinds of animals they allow their customers to bring onboard for free – first class or not.

Beginning September 17, Southwest Airlines will only allow trained cats, dogs and miniature horses in the cabin.

Other companies that fly out of Boise, like American Airlines, Allegiant and Frontier allow a wider variety of animals.

Delta and United both require their customers to show proof their emotional support animal is vaccinated and that it can behave properly during the trip.

Travelers have to submit this information to most of these carriers at least 48 hours before his or her flight.

Under the federal Air Carrier Access Act, airlines aren’t required to allow customers to bring snakes, reptiles, ferrets, rodents, sugar gliders or spiders as emotional support animals.

Exotic critters and larger pets may also be left out of the sky, even if their owners offer to buy an extra seat.

The news of the day didn’t seem to affect Alaska Airline’s stock much on Thursday. The publicly traded company closed down about 0.25 percent from where it opened.

Alaska operates 24 flights each day out of the Boise Airport on average, accounting for 25 percent of all commercial departures. Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey currently hosts 20 flights a week on Alaska.

Follow James Dawson on Twitter @RadioDawson for more local news.

Copyright 2018 Boise State Public Radio

I cover politics and a bit of everything else for Boise State Public Radio. Outside of public meetings, you can find me fly fishing, making cool things out of leather or watching the Seattle Mariners' latest rebuilding season. If you have a tip, please get in touch!

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