This probably should’ve happened a long time ago, but Tampa International Airport is finally cracking down on rules regarding non-service, non-traveling animals that have no business being there.
The policy — which the TBBJ says has been in place, but not strongly enforced, for decades — says that traveling non-service animals must be properly confined in a pet carrier if one is present, or controlled on a leash, when they are in the airport. An update to the policy cites Food and Drug Administration regulations in barring non-service animals at airport restaurants.
“In order to maintain our safety and cleanliness standards, we will no longer allow non-service animals that are not traveling in our airport,” Adam Bouchard, director of operations, said. Bouchard reiterated that service animals are always welcome at Tampa International Airport, but pet owners should expect to start getting schooled on the policy starting on Thursday.
A statement from the airport said that by the end of March, pet owners who are not compliant with the rules will receive warnings and possibly citations.
In short, you need to stop bringing your family pets to the airport just so that they can help pick up mommy, OK?
This article appears in Feb 14-21, 2019.
