'The entitlement and need for attention is so obnoxious' Passenger Boards Flight With Two Fake Service Dogs, Stirring Dog Debate About Ruff Rules and Regulations

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Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor
Dec 31, 2024 11:00 AM EST

Hello dog pawrents, did you ever need to fly with your fluffy friend? We know it's quite the hustle. You need to fill out many documents beforehand, receive confirmations, and adhere to rules that might make life less comfortable for you and your doggo friendo during the flight. But it's all worth it when you arrive at your destination safe and sound.

Some doggos and other animals aren't just flying abroad, or across the county, with their favorite hooman - some humble hoomans need a service animal for various reasons. These service doggos and other fluffy friends deserve all the respect, but some peculiar people decide to exploit the loophole of service animals on planes, and really throw away any regard for the ruff rules and regulations all other dog pawrents adhere to.

A dog pawrent passenger on a flight caught one of these hoomans in the act, boarding the plane with fake service dogs, disregarding flight rules about animals on planes. They uploaded their deliberations to Reddit, sparking a dog debate about pets on planes, service animals, and haughty humans. What do you think about it?

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  • 01
    Hm, wonder what these service dogs do? ②
    via u/Dry-Student5673
  • 02
    I love dogs so much (I have 2 giant Newfoundlands!) But the irritation that bubbles up within me when I see fake service dogs is on par with how much I love my giant bears. The entitlement and need for attention is so obnoxious! I just don't understand why there isn't some kind of actual, LEGIT service dog registration or ID that is required and enforced when traveling with a REAL service dog.
    via u/Dry-Student5673

    When you're a dog pawrent yourself, especially if you've ever needed to fly with your doggo friendo, you know that there are strict rules to board with an animal to a plane. We can see why a peculiar sight might pique their interest.

  • 03
    And FWIW, 2 FAs came over to say that the manifest showed that only 1 "service animal" was registered in that row. Owner was like "Oh, whoops- Well, they're the exact same size, same age, same everything!" The FA seemed slightly put-out/exasperated and walked away. Woof!
    via u/Dry-Student5673
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10448462592
    via u/Dry-Student5673

    Yes, they're a couple of cuties. But as far as cute canines go - the doggo debate was focused on the hoomans who brought them on board. Are they allowed on a seat? If they're service dogs, why there are two of them? Why didn't the flight attendant do anything about it?

  • 05
    Cassie_Bowden • 2d ago • FA here, and it irritates me so much when people abuse the service animal policy (yes, we can tell when it's not a legitimate SVAN) and don't follow the PETC rules either. You signed a paper that these PETC would remain in a zipped-up carrier in the gate area as well as the entire flight. Neither one is allowed on a seat. And quite frankly, I have had it with people and their pets not following rules. I tell them to follow the rules they agreed to and write it up every s
    via u/Cassie_Bowden
  • 06
    Visible_Phase_7982 • 2d ago It needs to happen. I have dogs, and love all dogs. But they don't belong on a plane. We need stricter rules for service animals. I fly almost weekly for work, and see too many people abusing the system.
    via u/Visible_Phase_7982
  • 07
    f_print •2d ago Looking at you guys across the pond... Australian service dogs are legislated and defined under the Dog Act, and all owners of service dogs carry little ID cards for their dogs that prove they are service dogs. Don't have a card? Dog doesn't come in the plane/train/building/etc 494 Reply Wandern 1000 • 2d ago Thank you for this comment. You hear a lot how unfeasible any sort of licensing is or what a burden it would be as if the US is the only country in the world and other place
    via u/f_print
  • 08
    Sea-Dingo4135 • 2d ago. Edited 19h ago • When the FAs and GAs do nothing it just emboldens people to do things like this. Edit: For everyone saying the FAs can't do anything because its a service animal. The DOT form owners sign states the animal must be on a leash or tethered and under the handler's control at all times. Form also states that if the animal does not behave appropriately it can be considered a pet, fees charged and required to be in carrier. Violating the DOT agreement can result
    via u/Sea-Dingo4135
  • 09
    Sea-Dingo4135 • 2d ago • Currently small dog owners seem to be abusing the Delta service dog policy that allows service dogs to be placed on a lap. If all service dogs were required to occupy the 'foot space' of the seat, which is the policy that applies to larger dogs (or be in a carrier under the seat) some of this behavior might stop.
    via u/Sea-Dingo4135
  • 10
    InvestmentLow 709 • 2d ago The audacity to bring two is crazy work 379 > Reply Dry-Student5673 OP.2d ago • It was a couple and they each had a carrier, but then promptly removed them and they both sat on the woman's lap the whole flight. 150 150 > Reply InvestmentLow709 • 2d ago • Yikes. Is that even allowed? Removing dogs from their carriers?
    via u/InvestmentLow709
  • 11
    samony 2d ago • No. And the only reason I know is I was trying to comfort my cat and opened the carrier a little to pet him and the little dude stuck his head out. FA immediately was like "GET HIM BACK IN THE CARRIER" so we don't do that again. ↑ 86 > Reply 1d ago Scuffed Balata • Cats are risky because they're escape artists and also tend to hide when afraid. If they get into the bulkhead of the plane, you're forcing an emergency landing and NOBODY is happy about that.
    via u/sam0ny
  • 12
    estebantoyou 1d ago • Snakes on a plane, but cats ② Sneeke 11 Reply ... ExperienceLoss • 1d ago • Mych cuter, more devious وله 893 ○ Reply
    via u/estebantoyou
  • 13
    E Mindless-Plastic-621 2d ago • I am a service dog user and this causes problems for real service dogs. First, service dogs do not belong on the seat. Second, this belongs squarely on Delta and the FA. They have the ability to prevent this. 137 > Reply Few-Requirements • 1d ago The flight attendant should have told the woman to put them back in the carrier... But you're fully allowed to take dogs on Delta flights as carry-on without them being service animals. Only OP is claiming they're fake se
    via u/Mindless-Plastic-621
  • 14
    Methadoneblues • 1d ago Are there not service animals that exist for emotional support issues? Couldn't these be some of them? 0 Reply Scuffed Balata • 1d ago. ESA are NOT service dogs. The rules specifically say that. + 84 3 > Reply 1d ago FuhrerGirthWorm Emotional support animals are not service animals. 5 Reply ...
    via u/Methadoneblues
  • 15
    krismap • 2d ago Some dude literally had a parrot 2 on my flight yesterday. He had it on his shoulder for a brief time and was talking to it. This sh is getting ridiculous! ↑ 42 > Reply timmycheesetty • 2d ago • Top 5% Commenter I want to bring an emotional support capybara.
    via u/krismap
  • 16
    DimensionFast5180 • 15h ago Taking a parrot out of its cage mid flight is crazy, but I get taking it in the cabin with you if you have no other choice and need to fly with it. You shouldn't ever fly with parrots unless you can completely avoid it, but sometimes you are moving states so you have no choice. I would never trust my parrot in cargo, they scare very easily and can literally scare themselves to death. No way would I trust it anywhere but right next to me the whole flight, and even that
    via u/DimensionFast5180
  • 17
    Lulubelle2021 • 2d ago · They may not be service animals. They may be small pets. Which are supposed to remain in the dang carrier the entire flight. If they are service animals, then the owner had to have filled out a form stating that they are service animals. Which means they are a liar.
    via u/Lulubelle2021
  • 18
    PennyLaine1 • 2d ago I'm a former 20-year Delta stew and agree the system is abused. I was deadheading on a flight and walked past a lady with an "emotional support" parrot sitting on her shoulder. Thankfully, that didn't "fly" with the cabin crew. It's gotten so out of hand. On time departures are the be all and end all for Delta - things like this consistently allowed to slide. ۵ 91 91 ○ Reply Diy2k4ever ⚫2d ago • Why didn't the parrot just fly and meet her there? 50 Reply ... SnooChipmunks561
    via u/PennyLaine1
  • 19
    and_the_horse_u_rode • 2d ago Pretty sure the two-headed dog is guarding the Sorcerer's Stone 40 Reply Expensive Abalone_56 • 2d ago Last time i saw it was three headed dog lol 10 10 ○ Reply aitaLurker23 • 2d ago It's been a few decades, they sadly lost one. 11 Reply ... Bogsworth ⚫2d ago • Internal disputes when you have three heads can be rough. Just ask the Runespoor. They often wind up as two heads and a scaly stump to remember the other.
    via u/and_the_horse_u_rode
  • 20
    freckledfk 2d ago • I'm on your flight and wondered the same 30 > Reply Dry-Student5673 OP.2d ago Hah! That was a lively flight- lots of kids, fake service animals, everyone had takeout containers ② 14 > Reply freckledfk 2d ago • She also has a hot pink stroller for them
    via u/freckledfk
  • 21
    Fine-Application-980 • 2d ago Once was on a Delta flt where a woman in FC had a pug and no carrier. By the end of the flight the pug had shall over the place. We had to play hop scotch in the aisle disembarking. The owner wouldn't take responsibility at all. Absolutely disgusting!
    via u/Fine-Application-980
  • 22
    Ambitious_Juice_2352 • 2d ago • Edited 2d ago I fly with my dog consistently, they are not supposed to be removed from the carrier while the plane is in-flight - this is of utmost importance for the safety of the animal during flight. IF they are a service animal, according to regulations, they should be on the floor in front of the owner (as far as I am aware). Also... if they were service it wouldn't be 2.... I bring my dog in the airport consistently, but she's also well behaved and stays in
    via u/Ambitious_Juice_2352
  • 23
    throwaway-finance007 • 15h ago • I travel with my small service dog that looks exactly like those dogs. They are absolutely allowed on the lap. I keep mine on the lap because that's where he can task best and because I'm tall and need the leg space. Service dogs CANNOT sit on the seat but are allowed to sit on the floor or on the handler's lap. That's the official legal policy. My dog is extremely well-trained, but I trained him myself and I don't "look" disabled. Small service dogs can absolute
    via u/throwaway-finance007
  • 24
    kingxprince8925 • 6h ago They're so cute but definitely not service animals.
    via u/kingxprince8925

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