Get ready for growls and howls. Watch out for whimpering and whining. Be prepared for snappishness and snarling. The federal Department of Transportation is proposing new rules for emotional support animals, and those regulations may be coming to an aircraft near you.
Some of you will applaud; some of you will be appalled. Of one thing I am fairly sure: Everyone will have an opinion by the time these rules become the law of the land and air.
At its core, here is what the DOT is proposing:
_ Service dogs, properly trained, are animals that have jobs to do. They are not just pets. They are, however, dogs. No other creatures allowed.
_ Pets that give emotional support but are not trained to do so will not be accorded the same rights and privileges as certified service dogs. This means your emotional support peacock or iguana does not get to sit in your lap or lie at your feet when you are airborne.
You have until April 6 to make your thoughts and feelings known to the DOT.
