Emotional support dog bites child on Southwest flight

Emotional support dog bites child on Southwest flight | Secret Flying

An emotional support dog injured a child on board a Southwest Airlines flight from from Phoenix to Portland, Oregon.

 

Southwest Airlines said Thursday that an emotional support dog injured a child as passengers boarded a plane in Phoenix.

 

“Our initial reports indicate a support dog’s teeth scraped a child’s forehead as the young passenger approached the animal, causing a minor injury,” a Southwest spokesperson told The Independent.

 

Paramedics checked the girl, who was reported to be around 6 or 7 years old. She was given the all clear and the family continued on the flight.

 

The dog and its owner, however, left the plane before it took off.

 

According to Southwest Airlines, the owner had warned the girl not to approach his dog prior to the attack.

 

Unlike service animals such as guide dogs, support animals need no training.

 

The incident happened as airlines consider imposing restrictions on passengers flying with emotional support animals.

 

Last month, a female traveller was banned from taking a large “emotional-support peacock” on board a United Airlines flight.