A recent incident involving a passenger bringing a Great Dane onto a flight has sparked widespread backlash online, with many criticizing the decision as causing undue “emotional distress” to other passengers.
Earlier this week, life coach and content creator Rob shared a video on Instagram of the moment a man boarded a plane with his massive emotional support dog. Great Danes typically weigh between 110 and 175 pounds, raising concerns about their suitability as in-flight companions.
The footage, which has garnered over 4.8 million views, shows a flight attendant greeting the dog owner, only for the dog to step on her foot, prompting an audible “Ow!” from the worker. The man quickly apologized, but the incident left many questioning the appropriateness of bringing such a large dog on board.
Rob captioned the video, asking: “Have we taken this support animal thing too far?” The question prompted a flurry of comments, many from viewers who felt that the presence of such a large dog could cause more harm than good in the confined space of an airplane.
One commenter expressed frustration, saying, “Emotional support for one person, emotional distress for hundreds! This is ridiculous.” Others echoed similar sentiments, with one individual stating, “I am all for trained service animals⊠this is not one of them.”
A former Great Dane owner also chimed in, claiming that the dogâs behavior suggested it was not a trained therapy animal. âThis is NOT an assisted therapy animal,â they wrote, with several others admitting they would have been uncomfortable sharing a flight with the dog.
Concerns about the health and safety implications were also raised. One individual pointed out the risks to passengers who may have allergies or a fear of dogs, particularly in the confined space of an airplane cabin. “What if someone has dog trauma or allergies?” one commenter asked, pointing out that the large dog would likely encroach on another passenger’s space. “Also, that poor dog wonât be able to lay down.”
While the majority of comments were critical, there were some who defended the pet’s presence. One commenter stated, âIâd rather this than a bunch of rude screaming kids. That dog can sit next to me anytime,â while others came to the defense of the flight attendant, who appeared unenthusiastic in the video.
Regardless of the mixed opinions, the incident highlights the ongoing debate around the growing number of emotional support animals in public spaces and the challenges posed by those that donât fit neatly into the category of trained service animals.
Related topics:
Top 10 Dog Breeds for Unmatched Companionship
Dogâs Jealous Reaction to Ownerâs Kiss Steals Hearts Online
Golden Retrieverâs Adorable Reaction to New Bed Goes Viral
