One year after Delta Air Lines banned "pit bull-type" dogs from boarding its planes as service animals, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has overturned the ban, allowing for all types of service dogs to fly, People reported.
One year after Delta Air Lines banned "pit bull-type" dogs from boarding its planes as service animals, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has overturned the ban, allowing for all types of service dogs to fly, People reported.
Disability advocates have previously argued that all service dogs, no matter what breed, are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the federal government has agreed.
"We must err on the side of safety," the airline said in a statement. "Most recently, two Delta employees were bit by a pit bull traveling as a support animal last week."
They added, "We struggled with the decision to expand the ban to service animals, knowing that some customers have legitimate needs, but we have determined that untrained, pit bull-type dogs posing as both service and support animals are a potential safety risk."
Those in opposition to the ban were quick to point out that the vast majority of pit bulls, as well as all dogs trained as service animals, are well-behaved and mild-mannered.
To refuse these animals to board a plane with their human companion would be refusing someone emotional support during what could potentially be a difficult flight for them.
In a statement, they explained that "dogs as a species are accepted for transport."
"The Department's Enforcement Office views a limitation based exclusively on breed of the service animal to not be allowed under its service animal regulation," the department wrote.
Delta can still refuse a dog from boarding if they consider it a safety threat from flying. However, they cannot judge solely on breed alone.
The ruling does not stop airline employees from asking passengers "reasonable" questions regarding their service animal's vaccination history, training, and behavior.
Since their decision was announced, Delta has released a statement saying that it is reviewing its policy.
"In 2018, Delta augmented its policies on service and support animals to reinforce our core value of putting safety and people first, always."
h/t: People