Dog spent whole flight Toronto to Ottawa on owners lap
Mar 1, 2020, 4:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 252
Dog spent whole flight Toronto to Ottawa on owners lap
Lovely lap dog the row ahead of us today (Toronto to Ottawa). Guessing 20 pound poodle. No carrier, no "support" vest. Spent the trip on owner's lap.
Not really complaining (dog was well behaved).
But, if this is legal, I. have a lovely 15 pound poodle who would love to come on my next trip (too leggy to fit under the seat ahead).
Not really complaining (dog was well behaved).
But, if this is legal, I. have a lovely 15 pound poodle who would love to come on my next trip (too leggy to fit under the seat ahead).
Mar 1, 2020, 4:56 pm
#2
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,767
No, it's not allowed. "Your pet must [...] [r]emain at all times in a closed pet carrier stowed under your seat."
Did the flight crew not do anything about this?
Did the flight crew not do anything about this?
Mar 1, 2020, 5:44 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: YYZ
Programs: Sardine Class
Posts: 36
As evidence that the animal you are travelling with is a service animal, you may present an identification card or other written document, carry tags or a harness for your animal, or provide credible verbal assurance.
I would assume the dog was in the crate, then let out, and either the crew didn't care, or the owner purposely hid it while they were around, I would likely say the latter.
Mar 1, 2020, 5:50 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,759
According to Air Canada's Website :
By "credible verbal assurance", I assume they can physically prove they need it, like having hear aids, however, I may be wrong.
I would assume the dog was in the crate, then let out, and either the crew didn't care, or the owner purposely hid it while they were around, I would likely say the latter.
By "credible verbal assurance", I assume they can physically prove they need it, like having hear aids, however, I may be wrong.
I would assume the dog was in the crate, then let out, and either the crew didn't care, or the owner purposely hid it while they were around, I would likely say the latter.
Now, not everyone who uses a service dog looks like they need one. Think of a seizure alert dog. Nor should people who have disabilities be required to prove that. But most people with trained service animals have documentation on the animal.
Mar 1, 2020, 5:55 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,404
According to Air Canada's Website :
By "credible verbal assurance", I assume they can physically prove they need it, like having hear aids, however, I may be wrong.
I would assume the dog was in the crate, then let out, and either the crew didn't care, or the owner purposely hid it while they were around, I would likely say the latter.
By "credible verbal assurance", I assume they can physically prove they need it, like having hear aids, however, I may be wrong.
I would assume the dog was in the crate, then let out, and either the crew didn't care, or the owner purposely hid it while they were around, I would likely say the latter.
Mar 1, 2020, 5:55 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: YYZ
Programs: Sardine Class
Posts: 36
Well if that's the case, the only reasonable guess I could come up with is the boarding agent was too new to know, and that flight crew didn't want the hassle of dealing with it for the short YYZ-YOW flight.
Mar 1, 2020, 6:50 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 252
Didn't see any reaction from boarding agent, flight crew or the 8-10 Air Canada uniformed passengers.
Dog was well behaved (few barks at gate - not the least bit hidden).
But, if that dog was a support dog it must be really easy to do.
Mine loves to lap sit on car drives. Imagine she'd be as good in a plane. Would even arrange for spouse to be my seat neighbour.
Dog was well behaved (few barks at gate - not the least bit hidden).
But, if that dog was a support dog it must be really easy to do.
Mine loves to lap sit on car drives. Imagine she'd be as good in a plane. Would even arrange for spouse to be my seat neighbour.
Mar 1, 2020, 6:54 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Halifax
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite. NEXUS
Posts: 4,568
I do however think it should be necessary for service animals themselves to have some well regulated documentation and license.
Mar 1, 2020, 8:44 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,487
Mar 1, 2020, 9:41 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: AC SE 1MM
Posts: 344
I was on YVR/YYZ in J recently (787) and somebody brought on a dog that was not a service animal. The dog was in a soft crate but they put it on their lap. The SD clearly noted this should't be happening but in the end let it slide. Dog was well behaved so I didn't care. But I think sometimes the SD balances the rules vs an in-flight joust.
Mar 2, 2020, 2:20 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 376
I was on YVR/YYZ in J recently (787) and somebody brought on a dog that was not a service animal. The dog was in a soft crate but they put it on their lap. The SD clearly noted this should't be happening but in the end let it slide. Dog was well behaved so I didn't care. But I think sometimes the SD balances the rules vs an in-flight joust.
Mar 2, 2020, 3:22 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: AC*SE; AC 2MM; Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 621
[QUOTE=RangerNS;32131016] ... I do however think it should be necessary for service animals themselves to have some well regulated documentation and license.
Worth noting ... there is no accredited, official or regulated registration or training process in Ontario for service animals (outside of seeing eye dogs) as far as I know. As was pointed out earlier in this thread any dog owner can go online and pay $40 or so and get 'documentation'.
Worth noting ... there is no accredited, official or regulated registration or training process in Ontario for service animals (outside of seeing eye dogs) as far as I know. As was pointed out earlier in this thread any dog owner can go online and pay $40 or so and get 'documentation'.