DOT Seeks Comments on Pit Bulls and Breed Restrictions in Crowded Airplane Cabin; Drops Emotional Support Animals

Proposed Rulemaking: Traveling by Air with Service Animals On January 22, 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a proposed rule stating that emotional support animals will no longer be considered a service animal while traveling by air. The proposal recognizes that "aircraft are highly confined spaces" and that accommodating service animals must be balanced against the health and safety of other passengers and crew. In a rare opportunity, DOT seeks comme… [Read full blog post]

Beneath the 'Headlines' of the DOT's Final Guidance of Enforcement Priorities Regarding Service Animals

What Does it Mean for Delta's Pit Bull Ban? - Discussion On August 8, the DOT issued their final enforcement priorities regarding service animals. The DOT's guidance comes after airlines began tightening policies on service and support animals. News headlines followed with claims like, "Delta can't ban pit bulls." Due to how the current rule is written, however, Delta may have legal basis; they would not have issued the ban otherwise. Our special report dives into the area… [Read full blog post]

Central Texas Pediatric Study: Pit Bulls Inflicted the Highest Prevalence and Severity of Dog Bite Injuries (2011-2016)

Study: Injury Prevention Requires "Vigilant Adult Supervision" A summary of a recent Central Texas pediatric study about dog bite injuries. View Abstract Temple, TX - Last fall, the Journal of Pediatric Surgery accepted a study from researchers at Texas A&M University Health Science Center in Temple, Texas. The study was recently assigned to the journal's July 2019 volume. We summarize this powerful study in advance, as critical elements stand out: the number of ca… [Read full blog post]

Delta Passenger Repeatedly Attacked in the Face by a Large "Support" Dog Sues Airline and the Owner of the Dog

The Complaint Against Delta - Analysis & Discussion On June 4, 2017, after Marlin Jackson boarded Delta Flight 1430 in the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, he was repeatedly attacked in the face by a large "support" dog seated on a man's lap. On May 24, 2019, Jackson sued Delta Air Lines and the owner of the dog in Fulton County state court. The complaint details the allegations against the two parties and asks for a jury trial. Our report discusses the legal complaint a… [Read full blog post]