Allegiant: Local boy’s service dog denied on flight because family didn’t complete process
A local woman who said Allegiant Airlines would not allow a service dog to fly with her and her 4-year-old son earlier this month failed to complete a two-step process that would have allowed the airline to approve the canine as a passenger.
>> EARLIER COVERAGE: Local woman says airline refused to let son’s service dog fly with him
The family that spoke with News Center 7 this week about their ordeal in trying to get nine people home to Wilmington from South Carolina did not want to be identified fully.
The woman, identified only as Ashley, said the denial occurred on a flight from Myrtle Beach to Columbus in mid-June. She said she and other family members filled out forms online three days before the flight to bring the dog home after the dog completed an 18-month training program.
She said she thought she had received the necessary approvals but employees at the airport insisted she had to have a printed form. The employees made her go through the Q-and-A process twice more, she said.
Tea, the special-needs dog, can alert the family early if there are problems with the child’s breathing, blood sugar levels or even his tracheostomy. The dog’s training frees the family from having to monitor medical readouts 24 hours, seven days a week for signs of trouble. Ashley’s child, Owen, suffers from CHARGE syndrome, a disorder that affects multiple organ systems.
Ashley told News Center 7 this week that she will not be flying with Allegiant again.
Thursday, Allegiant Airlines responded to News Center 7′s request for comment about what Ashley said happened to her, her son and the special-needs dog.
“Passengers traveling with a service animal must complete a two-step process, which includes notifying the airline and providing documentation such as the veterinarian’s name and contact number, rabies vaccination date and expiration, and the trainer’s name/organization and contact number,” the airlines said in its prepared statement.
“Unfortunately, the passenger completed only the first step in the process.
“Our disabilities services team has reached out to the customer to clarify the situation and ensure they are familiar with the DOT’s requirements and Allegiant’s protocol regarding service animals.
“Every decision Allegiant makes regarding a service animal is done in the best interest of safety for passengers and crews. We follow all regulatory guidelines regarding service animals and, for these reasons, it is important that both steps are completed prior to arriving at the airport,” the airlines said.
