Rules on support animals tightening
Airlines like United and Delta are tightening their rules on emotional-support animals kept in the cabin due to a rising number of complications that are impacting their passengers' safety, according to USA Today. United carried around 76,000 such animals last year, and a few high-profile incidents such as their refusal to allow a peacock onboard a flight and a support dog biting another passenger in the face have forced them to act before things get more out of hand, according to a spokesman.
Starting in March, all passengers were required to notify the airline about the animals 48 hours in advance and provide a note from a medical professional substantiating their need for the animal. The animals also need to be trained to behave in public to avoid issues like urination or attacking other people. These rules will help protect those truly in need while preventing fraud.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.