A government proposal would allow only specially trained dogs to qualify as service animals, bringing an end to unusual plane passengers

Some animal lovers and nervous fliers may squawk but the US government wants a definitive “neigh” to the question of passengers bringing rabbits, turtles, birds, miniature horses and other unusual emotional support animals on planes in future, especially free of charge.

Even cats could be running out of lives to while away under passengers’ seats at 30,000 feet.

Play Video 14:32 Creature comforts: has the US's emotional support animal epidemic gone too far? – video

The US Department of Transportation on Wednesday proposed that only specially trained dogs qualify as service animals, which must be allowed in a passenger plane cabin at no charge. Airlines may be able to let passengers bring other animals on board, but hefty fees would apply.

That news has come too late for Pebbles the emotional support hamster, and is likely to thwart Flirty the mini horse in future, but should save Dexter the peacock another fruitless trek to the airport, and the dignity of the squirrel who was turfed off a plane in 2018.

Airlines say the number of support animals has been growing dramatically in recent years, and they have lobbied to tighten the rules. They also imposed their own restrictions in response to passengers who show up at the airport with pigs, pheasants, turkeys, snakes and other unusual pets.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Flirty, the mini service horse, may be forbidden on passenger planes in the future. A proposal on service animals would allow only trained dogs. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

“This is a wonderful step in the right direction for people like myself who are dependent on and reliant on legitimate service animals that perform a task to mitigate our disability,” said Albert Rizzi, founder of My Blind Spot, which advocates for accessibility for people of different ability levels.

The US airline industry trade group praised the tighter rules. Industry officials believe that hundreds of thousands of passengers scam the system each year by claiming they need their pet for emotional support. Those people avoid airline pet fees, which are generally more than $100 each way.

“Airlines want all passengers and crew to have a safe and comfortable flying experience, and we are confident the proposed rule will go a long way in ensuring a safer and healthier experience for everyone,” said Nicholas Calio, president of Airlines for America.

Flight attendants had pushed to rein in support animals, too, and were pleased with Wednesday’s proposed changes.

“The days of Noah’s Ark in the air are hopefully coming to an end,” said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants. The union chief said untrained pets had hurt some of her members.

Southwest Airlines handles more than 190,000 emotional support animals a year. American Airlines carried 155,790 emotional support animals in 2017, up 48% from 2016, while the number of checked pets dropped 17%. United Airlines carried 76,000 comfort animals in 2017.

The public will have 60 days to comment on the proposed changes, and they could take effect any time after that.