Burr supports proposed definition change of service animals in air transportation

U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) last week applauded a new notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to amend the definition of a service animal in air transportation.

The NPRM also includes safeguards to ensure safety and reduce the likelihood that passengers wishing to travel with their pets on aircraft will be able to falsely claim that their pets are service animals, according to the DOT.

“I’ve been working to create stricter guidelines for service animals on airlines, and I applaud the Department of Transportation for taking steps to ensure our nation’s air transportation system is safer and more accessible,” Sen. Burr said.

Specifically, the proposed rulemaking would align the definition of a service animal with the Americans with Disabilities Act definition and only permit airlines to transport dogs as service animals rather than accommodating miniature horses, peacocks, cats, rabbits, birds, and other service animals that airlines are currently required to transport, according to a summary of the NPRM provided by Sen. Burr’s office.

“When individuals are trying to bring any variety of animals on flights by fraudulently claiming disability needs, we have a problem,” said Sen. Burr. “It isn’t fair to passengers, airlines, or those who do require properly trained service animals.”

Additionally, the NPRM suggests removing a requirement that airlines recognize “emotional support animals” as “service animals.” Instead, airlines would be permitted to treat “emotional support animals” as pets.

“It’s time we enact commonsense regulations that protect the ability of individuals and veterans with disabilities to travel with their trained service animals,” the senator said.