U.S. MAY 16, 2018 / 2:16 PM / UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO

Airlines must continue to accept service animals: U.S. agency

Reuters Staff
3 MIN READ

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Transportation Department told U.S. airlines on Tuesday that they must continue to allow the transport of the most common service animals, but said it was asking for public comment about amending its existing regulations.

The department said in a statement that it “wants to ensure that individuals with disabilities can continue using their service animals while also helping to ensure that the fraudulent use of other animals not qualified as service animals is deterred.”

There are growing concerns among airlines about passengers bringing aboard exotic creates that could pose a safety risk, and companies have recently begun tightening requirements.

The Transportation Department said it would focus on ensuring that U.S. carriers continue to accept the most commonly used service animals - dogs, cats, and miniature horses. Enforcement actions relating to other service animals would be on a case-by-case basis, it added.

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