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American Airlines Says Leave That Emotional Support Goat at Home

American Airlines Says Leave That Emotional Support Goat at Home

(Bloomberg) -- American Airlines Group Inc. is banning hoofed, horned, creepy and crawly creatures from flying as emotional support animals. Critters displaying threatening behavior like growling or biting won’t be allowed on board, either.

The carrier also will require 48-hour advance notice of plans to fly with an emotional or psychiatric support animal. Travelers will need to present a form signed by a mental health professional showing the disability involved, according to a post Monday on the Fort Worth, Texas-based airline’s website. The changes take effect July 1.

American is joining other major carriers in cracking down on passengers who claim support animals to travel in the cabin at no charge, after the number of such cases soared in recent years. Fellow travelers have been bitten by support animals in at least two cases.

Amphibians, ferrets, goats, hedgehogs, insects, spiders, snakes, rodents and sugar gliders are among the creatures banned by American for use as support animals. Non-household birds, as well as animals with tusks, horns and hooves are also grounded.

The airline isn’t changing its policies for trained service animals used by people with visual or hearing impairments, seizures or mobility issues.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mary Schlangenstein in Dallas at maryc.s@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Brendan Case at bcase4@bloomberg.net, Tony Robinson

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