The United States Transportation Department has proposed new rules aimed at preventing passengers from falsely claiming their pets are service animals aboard US flights.

Key points: US airlines reported a big jump in travellers bringing animals aboard

US airlines reported a big jump in travellers bringing animals aboard Some support animals included goats, ferrets, hedgehogs and reptiles

Some support animals included goats, ferrets, hedgehogs and reptiles The new proposal would limit the number of animals travelling with a passenger

The department proposed that only specially trained dogs qualify as service animals, and to no longer consider an emotional support animal to be a service animal, which must be allowed in the cabin at no charge.

Federal law currently allows passengers with disabilities to travel with service animals.

US airlines have said the number of support animals has grown dramatically in recent years and they have lobbied the transportation department to crack down on what they consider a scam — passengers who call their pets emotional support animals to avoid pet fees that generally run more than $US100 ($146) each way.

Loading...

The proposal "is intended to ensure a safe and accessible air transportation system" and will be open for public comment, adding it "wants to ensure that individuals with disabilities can continue using their service animals", the department said.

US airlines including Southwest Airlines Co, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines have moved to limit emotional support animals in cabins to largely dogs and cats after a growing number of passengers were bringing a wide variety of exotic pets that could pose a safety risk.

Comfort turkeys, snakes and spiders

Airlines in recent years reported a big jump in travellers bringing animals aboard.

Delta noted in 2018 that some passengers attempted to fly with comfort turkeys, gliding possums, snakes and spiders, while American Airlines in 2018 said it would not allow a wide variety of creatures on flights as support animals including goats, ferrets, hedgehogs, amphibians and reptiles.

"The days of Noah's Ark in the air are hopefully coming to an end," Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, said.

Some passengers have been bitten by support animals and airlines complain that they relieve themselves on planes and in airports.

The public will have 60 days to comment on the proposed changes. Officials highlighted a few areas where they are most eager to get comments, including whether miniature horses should continue to qualify as service animals.

Some passengers have attempted to fly with a comfort turkey. ( Reuters: Eduardo Munoz )

The Transportation Department proposes a narrow definition in which a service animal could only be a dog that is trained to help a person with a physical or other disabilities.

Passengers with a service dog would have to fill out a federal form on which they swear that the dog is trained to help them.

The form would also include a clause that states the animal "has the ability to either not relieve itself, or can relieve itself in a sanitary manner" if taking a long flight.

Current rules do not require any training for emotional support animals. However, airlines can demand that the animal's owner show them a medical professional's note saying they need the animal for support.

The administration proposal would also allow airlines to limit the number of service animals travelling with a single passenger with a disability to two, and could require service animals to fit within its handler's foot space on the aircraft.

Reuters/AP