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Dogs are now the only service animals allowed on US planes – here are the craziest pets brought onboard in recent years

ONLY dogs will be allowed on planes in the future, with airline authorities cracking down on emotional support pets.

The Department of Transportation (DoT) has tightened the restrictions after a wave of animals being deemed for "emotional support" were allowed onto flights.

Only service dogs will now be allowed on flights
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Only service dogs will now be allowed on flightsCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Unlike official service animals such as guide dogs, emotional support animals are often not formally trained.

Instead, they are often used for nervous travellers or those who suffer from anxiety or depression.

United Airlines previously said they had seen a 75 per cent increase in emotional support animal requests in 2017, while thousands of complaints against animals on board have been reported every year.

The new regulation will only allow service animals defined as dogs which are specifically trained to help with passengers who have a disability.

In a statement, the DoT explained: "The final rule announced today addresses concerns raised by individuals with disabilities, airlines, flight attendants, airports, other aviation transportation stakeholders, and other members of the public, regarding service animals on aircraft."

While emotional support animals are no longer allowed, dogs which are of psychiatric service will be allowed.

Here are some of the strangest animals to have been spotted into the cabin during a flight.

Ducks

A duck was allowed on board to help a passenger with panic attacks
An emotional support duck called Daniel joined a passenger who suffered from PTSD

Ponies

Even ponies can be emotional support animals
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Even ponies can be emotional support animalsCredit: Bored Panda

Turkeys

A turkey called Easter was allowed onto a flight
A turkey called Easter had made its way onto a flight before, helping her owner emotionally during flight

Kangaroos

A kangaroo was allowed on board as an emotional support animal
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A kangaroo was allowed on board as an emotional support animalCredit: Bored Panda

Pigs

A pig was allowed under the emotional support rule
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A pig was allowed under the emotional support ruleCredit: Bored Panda

Roosters

A rooster even made its way onto a flight
An emotional support rooster was caught on a flight

Monkeys

Richard helps his owner with agoraphobia
Richard the bonnet macaque monkey is an emotional support animal for agoraphobia

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Earlier this year, a woman suffering from PTSD was left stranded abroad after an airline banned her service dog from the flight, after crew claimed he tried to bite them.

Two “emotional support dogs” and their owners were booted off a plane after the mutts began barking wildly in the cabin after crew suspected the French bulldogs were pets rather than animals for providing therapy.

Last year, United Airlines banned hedgehogs and peacocks from being taken as emotional support animals.

US ruling excludes emotional support animals from planes
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