It’s the second week of the month and we bring you some great stories about ESAs. This week, we’re featuring stories about snakes flying business class and ESAs traveling together with service dogs.
Large Snake Found in Luggage at Tampa International Airport – Passenger Claims It Is Her Emotional Support Animal
The Transport Security Administration of the Tampa International Airport faced a jaw-dropping situation when the x-ray of a traveler’s carry-on luggage revealed a hidden passenger – a 4’ long boa constrictor.
TSA discussed the unusual finding with the passenger, who explained that the boa constrictor named Batholomew was her Emotional Support Animal. Then TSA notified the airline of the incident, and the woman was not allowed to fly – neither alone nor with Bartholomew.
Today, ESAs are not universally allowed on airplanes, and it is up to the company to determine its exact policy. However, even airlines that allow Emotional Support Animals have certain safety rules that need to be met. And taking your ESA in the luggage alongside shoes and a laptop is definitely not allowed.
Source: TheSacramentoBee
A Woman Shares a Viral and Concerning TikTok Video of an ESA Interacting With Her Service Dog During a Flight
Service Dogs should not be bothered while on duty. This is something people know but other dogs do not. A viral Tik Tok video of an overly friendly ESA trying to engage in an interaction with a disinterested Service Dog is proof of that.
Finnian, a service Labrador Retriever with popular social media accounts, was sitting on the cabin’s floor when approached by a bulldog-type of dog. The bulldog was wearing a “Service Dog” imprinted harness and was tenacious about making friends with the calm and wary Finnian.
The situation sparked Finnian’s owner. She says interactions with Service Dogs can be dangerous. She was also baffled by the fact that the bulldog’s owner did nothing to remedy the situation – except to apologize that the bulldog was too friendly. In the video, Finnian’s owner wrote, “When your Service Dog gets seated next to ‘Service Dog,’” insinuating the difference between the two.
Source: Newsweek
CertaPet’s Thoughts on This Week’s News
We support the concept of ESAs traveling with their owners and providing comfort to their owners. However, we also raise awareness about the ESAs’ safety and go through the right channels. Having your ESA inadequately contained during travel is unsafe. Plus, using the ESA card to justify the travel of an animal that is not an ESA puts real Emotional Support Animals in danger – they are not protected under the ADA, and incidents like this give them a bad reputation.
We understand how important Service Dogs are, and we are also well aware of the difference Emotional Support Animals make in their owners’ lives. While performing similar tasks, there is a huge difference between Service Dogs and ESAs – Service Dogs go through special training, and ESAs do not. Interactions between the two, especially during situations like travel, can be concerning for the owners. We believe that situations like this can be easily prevented by giving the two dogs and owners space (separated seats).