In June 2017, Marlin Jackson, a Delta Airlines passenger, was attacked by a large emotional support dog belonging to US Marine Corps veteran Ronald Kevin Mundy Jr. He is now suing the airline because he believes they did not do their due diligence in verifying that the dog, as an emotional support animal, met the same requirements as a service animal and could handle an airplane setting. He also alleges that Delta did not warn passengers of the dangers of untrained and unrestrained animals.

The incident occurred as the flight from Atlanta to San Diego was boarding. According to Jackson, he was securing his safety belt when the chocolate Lab-pointer mix growled at him. The animal broke free from his owner, pinned Jackson against the window and bit Jackson several times in the face. Jackson required 28 stitches after bleeding so profusely that the entire row of seats had to be removed from the airplane.

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In his lawsuit, Jackson claims that he currently suffers from “severe physical pain and suffering,” emotional distress and mental anguish. He also alleges that Mundy should have known “that his large animal was foreseeably dangerous, especially when confined to the cramped and anxious quarters of the passenger cabin of an airplane.”

Although Delta has not commented on the suit, they have taken additional precautions since the attack, including requiring passengers traveling with emotional support animals to submit a Confirmation of Animal Training form.