I’ve long been of the mindset that emotional support animals should be banned from commercial aircraft. Pictures that have emerged from a recent Delta flight only demonstrate how ridiculous this game has become.

Take a look at these two pictures:

I have seen a lot over the years, but this has to take the #ESAofTheDay cake. Wonder how the overall #PaxEx was for others in the forward cabin. 🙄 pic.twitter.com/pKEpOEqY4r — Eric (@GoldboxATL) November 15, 2019

I mean, seriously?

Don’t be fooled by the “service animal” harness. It’s almost assuredly a fake based upon the poor behavior of the dogs. Look how they are standing on the seat with their paws on the center armrest during the breakfast service.

Real service dogs are trained to sit quietly at the feet of their guardians. A real service animal would never try to take part in the meal service.

Delta Doesn’t Even Follow Its Own Policy

I lauded Delta for cracking down on emotional support animals last year and again this year. Delta bans these animals on flights over eight hours and requires vaccination documentation and that the animals be at least four months old.

It also requires:

Animals must be of a size to not exceed the “footprint” of the seat.

Service and support animals may ride in the passenger’s lap for all phases of the flight, including ground movement, take off, and landing, provided the trained animal is no larger than a lap held child (under 2 years of age).

The animal must remain with the passenger at all times.

The animal cannot occupy a seat.

It seems to me several provisions were violated here. Why Does Delta not enforce its own rules?

> Read More: Bravo! Delta Restricts Emotional Support Animals

> Read More: Delta Seriously Restricts Emotional Support Animals

CONCLUSION

Why not live and let live on Live and Let’s Fly? Because these dogs create a malevolent safety hazard. Can you imagine how they could hinder egress during an emergency? And they also make the cabin experience unpleasant for everyone else.

Sorry for putting on my grouchy old man hat here, but these photos once again demonstrate how far out of control the emotional support animal game has become. It’s time for airlines to further push limits of accommodation versus abuse.