American Airlines Flight Attendant Needs Five Stitches After Bite From Emotional Support Dog

A flight attendant on an American Airlines route from DFW airport was bitten by an emotional support dog and later needed five stitches.The incident occurred Monday on a flight to Greensboro, N.C. on Envoy Air, the wholly-owned regional subsidiary of American Airlines. The flight attendant was treated after the flight landed at Piedmont Triad Airport, but he was cleared and returned on a later flight to DFW.American Airlines said the flight attendant later received five stitches for the injury after landing at DFW. The airline didn't say what kind of dog it was or what happened to the passenger with the animal.The dog bite incident again is prompting the flight attendants union to call for better rules on emotional support animals, as the pets have grown more common in recent years as fliers say they need the companions to deal with PTSD, anxiety and other issues.Passengers are allowed to fly with emotional support animals without question under the Americans with Disabilities Act, sometimes putting airlines in tricky positions.Some airlines require a note from a doctor, but some say those passes are given too easily. American Airlines doesn't require any certification."What happened on yesterday's American Airlines flight is completely unacceptable and inexcusable," said a statement from the Association of Flight Attendants. "For years, AFA has supported the role trained animals can provide to passengers in the cabin, but we have also called for action in regards to setting standards for emotional support animals."  Continue reading...