The political party PAN has expressed strong disapproval over an incident involving TAP Portugal, which refused to allow a service dog to accompany a 12-year-old girl in the cabin during a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Lisbon. The party is demanding clarifications from the government regarding this matter.
In a statement, PAN revealed that they have submitted a formal inquiry to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing to urge the government to clarify TAP’s conduct in cancelling a flight due to its refusal to board an emotional support animal. The party’s spokesperson, Inês Sousa Real, emphasized that the incident compromised the well-being of a 12-year-old girl with special needs, who has been diagnosed with autism.
Inês Sousa Real emphasized the necessity for the government to confirm its awareness of this refusal by TAP, given that all the necessary documentation for the animal, which was to provide therapeutic support, was in order and legally valid under Brazilian judicial authority.
The party calls for the establishment of an appropriate legal framework for the air transport of companion animals, particularly in cases involving persons with disabilities or special needs. PAN insists that animals should be allowed to travel in the cabin instead of the cargo hold.
The statement further demands the creation of animal welfare zones in airports and mandatory training for aviation workers to handle animals properly, according to PAN.
TAP Portugal stated that the rejection of the service dog in the cabin was a measure taken to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon when flight TP74 was set to depart from Rio de Janeiro’s Galeão International Airport. However, the flight was halted by the Brazilian Federal Police after the crew refused to board the dog, named Teddy, despite the presentation of an urgent judicial order.
The dog previously accompanied the girl on a trip to Orlando, United States, and was trained to endure long periods, such as hours without food.
