Dot Regulations On Emotional Support Animals

Unless it complies with the airlines pet policy.

Dot regulations on emotional support animals. Department of Transportation DOT Delta will no longer recognize emotional support animals as service animals beginning January 11 2021. Emotional Support Animals ESA are now considered pets not service animals when flying on US. Learn the rules for housing and flying with an ESA.

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 Washington Post via Getty Images FILE.

The following is meant as a general guide to the rules and regulations around emotional support animals. DOT proposes emotional support animal changes The DOT has now opened a period for public comment regarding a new proposal that would lay the framework for airlines to ban emotional support animals. The changes also clarify that emotional support animals ESAs comfort animals companionship animals animals being trained to be service animals and species other than dogs are not considered.

First the ACAA currently requires airlines to recognize emotional support animals as service animals. 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. The DOT has supported the airlines rights to restrict animals less than 4 months old from flying as a service or emotional support animal.

On Thursday afternoon the Department of Transportation issued a final policy statement for service animals and emotional support animals ESAs. We will honor reservations submitted and confirmed by Delta prior to January 11 2021 but will not accept new EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL reservations for upcoming travel. 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.

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. As part of the DOTs final rule on traveling by air with service animals the department has given airlines permission to strip emotional support animals ESAs of the service animal treatment. 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.