United Airlines lifts ban on nine dog breeds
Responding to an outcry from pet owners, United Airlines is lifting a ban on transporting nine breeds of dogs, including pit bulls and others the airline previously considered dangerous.
United stopped transporting those breeds when it adopted the animal transporting policies of Continental Airlines. The two carriers are set to merge to become the nation’s largest airline this year.
“As a result of feedback, United will now accept previously restricted breeds of dogs traveling in a non-plastic, reinforced crate,” United said in a statement.
The carrier previously banned the following breeds or mixes of such breeds:
Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Presa Canario, Perro de Presa Canario, Dogo Argentino, Cane Corso, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa (or Tosa Ken) and Ca de Bou.
The ban ended after an online campaign on Change.org collected more than 45,000 signatures on a petition to lift the restriction. The campaign was started by Hawaii resident Jessie Huart, whose 10-year-old pit bull was denied for transportation on the airline.
“This change is a victory for responsible dog owners everywhere at a time when many are facing breed discrimination,” Huart said in a statement.
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