Delta announced this week that it has updated its service and support animal policy, which will officially go into effect Dec. 18.
The change bans service and support animals under four months from all flights. Delta cites rabies vaccination requirements.
The change also bans emotional-support animals on flights longer than eight hours, effective Feb. 1. The animals will no longer be booked on flights starting this month.
“We will continue to review and enhance our policies and procedures as health and safety are core values at Delta,” John Laughter, senior vice president of corporate safety, security, and compliance, said. “These updates support Delta’s commitment to safety and also protect the rights of customers with documented needs – such as veterans with disabilities – to travel with trained service and support animals.”
During 2016 and 2017, there was an 84 percent increase in reported incidents involving service and support animals. These incidents included biting and urination and defecation. In 2017, a Delta passenger needed 28 stitches on his face after a 50-pound emotional support dog attacked him.
Delta’s updated policy is consistent with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Air Carrier Access Act regarding emotional-support animals and also follows the Center for Disease Control’s vaccination policy.
Pit bulls were banned in July.