The friendly skies just got a lot less friendly last week for dog owners, especially for owners of “bully breeds.”
Earlier this month, popular U.S. air carrier United Airlines unleashed their new plan for pet air travel, dubbed the PetSafe program. Originally the pet policy under Continental Airlines, United adopted the program after the two airlines merged. Under the program guidelines, the airline will now prohibit all dogs that appear to fall under their list of “dangerous dog breeds”. Many of the same breeds listed have been targeted by breed specific legislation across the country.
After this story broke on March 13, United Airlines amended the poilcy on its website, and changed the wording of “Dangerous dog breed restrictions” to “Dog breed restrictions” (see original wording above).
As if relocating or travel-by-plane with a dog wasn’t stressful enough, owners of Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Argentinean Mastiffs, and other named breeds will have to find alternate means of transportation under the new restrictions. Mixes of these “dangerous” breeds will also be barred from travel on United Airlines.
United Airlines, which topped last year’s prestigious list of meanest airlines, is making dog lovers barking mad; a petition against the breed discrimination policy has amassed nearly 29,000 signatures since its inception with more coming in every day.
Many signers are leaving comments about the failure of breed discriminatory policies. “It’s wrong to punish good dogs and good clients because of a stereotype,” one comment reads.
United Airlines is currently the only U.S. air carrier with a “dangerous dog breed” policy.
For a full list of restrictions put in place under the new United Airlines PetSafe plan, check out the company website.
To make your voice heard about this issue, please contact United Airlines about their pet policies.
The complete list of dog breeds that United Airlines will not allow:
American Staffordshire Terrier
The above breeds are welcome on United planes before they reach 6 months of age or 20 pounds, whichever comes first.
