The Emotional Support Dog Who Mauled Another Passenger – Well, That’s Emotional Support, Isn’t It?

The idea that people should be able to take their emotional support animals – otherwise known to normal people as pets – anywhere they damn well like was always an odd one. Where there’s a distinct physical necessity then sure, why not, guide dogs for the blind etc. But an emotional support horse on a plane? No, don’t laugh, someone tried it.

Then we also get stories like this:

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]A man who was allegedly attacked by an emotional support dog on a Delta Airlines flight has filed a lawsuit against the airline and the owner of the animal.[/perfectpullquote]

Well, dogs have been known to bite man, that’s what doesn’t make a newspaper story after all.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]An Alabama man is suing Delta Air Lines and one of its passengers over his getting mauled by an emotional support dog on a flight in 2017.[/perfectpullquote] [perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The attack was so severe that Marlin Jackson suffered “extensive facial damage,” including lacerations to his nose and mouth, and bled so profusely “that the entire row of seats had to be removed from the airplane,” according to the suit, which was filed on Friday in Georgia’s State Court of Fulton County.[/perfectpullquote]

Perhaps he damaged the emotions the dog was there to support?

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The lawsuit against Delta Airlines and the owner says the dog pinned him to a window seat, leading to 28 stitches.[/perfectpullquote]

That’s a factual claim which is easy enough to prove. And 28 stitches is a lot. I recently had a 3 cm by 3 cm slice on my forearm closed up with 7 stitches. 28 stitches is a lot.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] Delta changed its policies on emotional-support and service animals following what it said was an increase in reports of attacks on passengers. In announcing the policy change in January 2018, it acknowledged the attack on Jackson, describing it as “a widely reported attack by a 70-pound dog.” [/perfectpullquote]

It sounds like he’s got a case there.

Oh, and I wasn’t joking about the horses:

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Southwest Airlines announced in 2018 that it would not allow insects, spiders, or rodents to fly with passengers but would allow miniature horses, cats, and dogs.[/perfectpullquote]

Seriously, that emotional support Shetland pony is just fine.

The badge you might want to put on your horse – Not All Disabilities are Visible Vests/Harnesses Service Dog Emblem Embroidered Fastener Hook & Loop Patch