1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:07,900 [Music Fading in] 2 00:00:07,900 --> 00:00:08,000 3 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:09,366 4 00:00:09,366 --> 00:00:14,933 If a Bobcat in your backyard is shocking, imagine a penguin or kangaroo sitting next to you on a plane 5 00:00:14,933 --> 00:00:20,866 If you're traveling in the US, it's likely that you'll see more than just a dog onboard. 6 00:00:20,866 --> 00:00:20,900 7 00:00:20,900 --> 00:00:28,000 An increasing number of people are registering pets as emotional support animals (ESAs) for all manner of medical conditions. 8 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:35,166 But some flight attendants fear pets on planes could pose a risk to passenger safety. Arthy Poll reports. 9 00:00:35,166 --> 00:00:35,200 10 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:43,733 Waddling through the isles; A few years ago animals on planes may have been a novelty but lately it's become a nuisance! 11 00:00:43,733 --> 00:00:43,766 12 00:00:43,766 --> 00:00:50,966 Dogs might not be unusual but some passengers get creative; kangaroos, birds, rabbits or any pet you can name! 13 00:00:50,966 --> 00:00:51,033 14 00:00:51,033 --> 00:00:58,900 People can bring chickens. Many bring pigs. In fact, last fall US Airways kicked a woman off a flight because her Potbellied Pig 15 00:00:58,900 --> 00:01:00,000 16 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:00,933 Was misbehaving 17 00:01:00,933 --> 00:01:05,766 These pets fall under the category of Emotional Support Animals or ESAs. 18 00:01:05,766 --> 00:01:12,333 A Federal Law [ACAA] allows support animals to board a flight with owners without being in a carrier. 19 00:01:12,333 --> 00:01:19,300 What passengers require is a letter from a mental health professional saying they need the pets in order to fly. 20 00:01:19,300 --> 00:01:19,466 21 00:01:19,466 --> 00:01:27,866 The law applies to nearly every species you can think of. With that your pet travels for free, avoiding the $125 fee 22 00:01:27,866 --> 00:01:28,000 23 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:31,066 to place them in a carrier as your cabin luggage. 24 00:01:31,066 --> 00:01:34,400 But a flight attendant says that things can get wild. 25 00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:43,933 I would say dozens of instances where planes have returned to the gate. Passengers have unruly pets. Dogs may be snapping at other passengers. 26 00:01:43,933 --> 00:01:44,000 27 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:49,900 Unlike service dogs for those with disabilities, not all ESAs are trained in the same manner. 28 00:01:49,900 --> 00:01:53,600 Complaints about support animals are reportedly on the rise. 29 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:57,400 And it's become easier to get medical approval for ESAs. 30 00:01:57,400 --> 00:02:03,966 Online there are sites that ask them questions and then charge them [passengers] a one-time fee in order to receive a doctor's note 31 00:02:03,966 --> 00:02:04,000 32 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:09,100 that gives people approval to carry their pet onboard for a year or longer. 33 00:02:09,100 --> 00:02:17,933 The passenger has to take precedence over the animal. But I also know that if I had the opportunity to take the dog, I would. 34 00:02:17,933 --> 00:02:21,766 If it's little or it should be in a cage under the seat. 35 00:02:21,766 --> 00:02:35,233 More than just being a nuisance to some, flight attendants believe the increasing number of animals on planes could jeopardize an emergency evacuation as the pet may not be trained on how to handle an air travel emergency. 36 00:02:35,233 --> 00:02:38,100 Some flight attendants wonder if perhaps it's time 37 00:02:38,100 --> 00:02:44,733 To revisit the law on emotional support animals to make flying more safe. Arthy Poll, Global News Washington. 38 00:02:44,733 --> 00:02:52,633 [Music] 39 00:02:52,633 --> 00:02:52,733 40 00:02:52,733 --> 00:02:56,133 [Music Fading]