The FAA has removed the requirement that forced airlines to allow emotional support animals on aircraft. The people who fly with these animals are saying it is unfair because flying “triggers” them.
They are especially angry because the trade association for major U.S. airlines wrote in a letter to Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao that emotional support animals led to an increase in “incidents” that have “ranged from mauling and biting to urinating and defecating.”
“This misbehavior not only threatens the health and safety of our passengers and crew, but also passengers with disabilities traveling with legitimate service animals,” the statement said.
So the airlines claimed that emotional support animals aren’t legitimate, and the people who want to travel with them are angry that they are seen as not having a legitimate disability. I wonder why that is? Could it be all of the websites out there that claim they can give you a letter certifying your emotional disability which will force airlines and landlords to allow your pet without being able to charge you a dime extra?
Read the actual statement from one of those websites:
Did you know that with a signed ESA letter from us you will be allowed to have your animal with you wherever you choose to live*, even if there are restrictions for pets at your complex or rental… and with an ESA letter your monthly “pet” fee can be waived? So stop paying $500-$1000 a year in “pet” fees, or living without your ESA and get an Emotional Support Animal letter for your landlord.
Emotional Support Animals are a scam. Claim to have a fake disability so your pet can fly for free. Unscrupulous medical professionals certify your “disability” over the Internet and now your pet flies free. The system was so absurd that one passenger brought a support turkey onto a plane, and other brought a support pony.
The same scam has moved into the realm of rental property. My sister even used the scam. You get a letter claiming your “disability” and need for an emotional support animal. Your landlord is then required to allow this pet for no extra charge or pet deposit, even if pets are prohibited. If he refuses, he is in violation of the Fair Housing Act and can be sued into bankruptcy.
So landlords respond to this sort of thing pragmatically: raise rents and deposits for everyone. That “free” pet? Nope. Not free. Everyone now pays more for YOUR pet.