Even though the Department of Transportation does not allow
breed bans for service dogs, Delta said it will continue
to ban pit bulls from coming aboard aircraft.
Delta instituted a pit bull ban in March 2018 because of a "sharp
increase" in incidents and attacks.
"Pit bulls account for less than 5% of the overall dog
population but 37.5% of vicious dog attacks. Understanding this risk, Delta has
not come to a solution for allowing pit bulls onboard that satisfies its own
rigorous safety requirements," the airline said in a statement.
The Humane Society criticized the pit bull ban.
"Delta's decision to maintain its discriminatory ban on
pit bull-type dogs as service dogs is misguided and will hurt countless
individuals," Humane Society CEO Kitty Block said in a statement. "We
continue to offer Delta and all airlines our support to implement alternatives
that keep the skies friendly for people and animals alike."
While maintaining the pit bull ban, Delta lifted a ban on
emotional support animals on flights that are longer than eight hours.