Emotional support dog bites child on Southwest flight
There was another clash over an emotional support animal after a dog and its owner were booted from a flight.
The dog bit the forehead of a small girl according to fellow passenger Tim Rice.
The six year old child began ‘screaming and crying’ after reaching out across the aisle to pet the animal, Rice said.
The Southwest Airlines plane was still at Phoenix preparing to take-off at the time.
The airline confirmed it but played down the incident.
"Initial reports indicate a support dog’s teeth scraped a child’s forehead as the young passenger approached the animal, causing a minor injury. EMTs evaluated the child, who was cleared to continue on the flight," it said.
The incident comes after growing concerns over emotional support animals in the cabin which unlike service animals do not require training.
Both Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have recently said they would tighten rules and require more documentation for such animals.
Southwest said it is reviewing the incident but does not have any immediate plans to change policy.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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