KRDO13 obtained a flight recording from the Colorado Springs Airport, revealing the chaotic events that unfolded during the unexpected landing on Tuesday. The flight, operated by SkyWest Airlines on behalf of American Airlines, was headed to Dallas, Texas from Provo, Utah. However, shortly after takeoff, air traffic control instructed the plane to divert to COS, citing an unknown issue. After landing, the crew confirmed that a service dog, a Belgian Malinois, had bitten a child, prompting the emergency landing.
The Incident: A Biting Service Dog
According to audio recordings from air traffic control, the incident occurred when a 10-year-old boy reportedly stepped on the service dog’s paw, leading to a bite in the genitals area. KRDO13 has obtained vaccination records, which show that the service dog in question was a Belgian Malinois. The airport’s medical report states that the child was taken to Children’s Hospital for further evaluation, but no additional information about their condition is available at this time.
- Audio recordings from air traffic control
- Vaccination records obtained by KRDO13
- Airport’s medical report
The owner of the service dog told emergency responders that the child had “returned from the restroom and accidentally stepped on the dog’s paw,” according to the airport’s medical report. The owner claimed that the dog bit the child in self-defense, stating that the child had “accidentally stepped on the dog’s paw, resulting in the dog biting the child.”
Airline Response: Support and Apology
American Airlines released a statement regarding the incident, saying they are “aware of an incident involving a service animal on American Eagle flight 4980” and have been in contact with the family of the injured passenger to offer support and apologize for their experience.
| American Airlines Statement | Support Offered |
|---|---|
| “We’re aware of an incident involving a service animal on American Eagle flight 4980,” | “and have been in contact with the family of the injured passenger to offer support and apologize for their experience.” |
Service Dogs and Air Travel
Service dogs are trained to assist individuals with disabilities, and their presence in air travel is governed by the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).
Under the ACAA, a service dog is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to perform specific tasks or duties for a person with a disability.
“A service dog is a dog that has been individually trained to perform specific tasks or duties for a person with a disability.”
Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)
Service dogs are allowed to accompany their owners in the cabin of an aircraft, but they must be properly identified and certified by the owner.
- Proper identification and certification
- Accompanying the owner in the cabin
- Individual training for specific tasks or duties
Conclusion
The incident involving the service dog and the child at the Colorado Springs Airport highlights the importance of responsible service dog ownership and adherence to air travel regulations. While the incident was severe, it serves as a reminder that service dogs are trained to assist individuals with disabilities and should not be viewed as a threat. Key Takeaways:
• Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities. • Service dogs are allowed to accompany their owners in the cabin of an aircraft. • The owner’s responsibility is to properly identify and certify their service dog.
