DALLAS (1080 KRLD) - Today is the day people can no longer board an American Airlines flight with an emotional support animal other than a dog or cat.
The Fort Worth-based airline announced changes to their policy last month, after several people tried to claim more exotic animals as therapy or emotional support. Recently, some of those have included pigs, peacocks, even a squirrel.
The one exception American would make is for a miniature horse, though they say that would be in very limited circumstances.
The airline says they've made these policy changes to protect passengers with a legitimate need for a service animal, as well as protect flight crews from untrained animals.
A passenger can only bring one emotional support animal on board the plane, and any animals traveling need to be current on vaccinations and paperwork.