US rules only dogs count as service animals on planes

Now the only zoo will be at the baggage claim.

The US Department of Transportation ruled Wednesday that dogs are the only service animals permitted to join their owners on flights — grounding a menagerie that in recent years has included pigs, turtles, a turkey and even a small horse.

The final ruling, which takes effect in 30 days, aims to settle years of tension between airlines and passengers who insist on bringing their pets aboard as passengers — without a fee — by saying that they need the critters for emotional support.

Previously, the Transportation Department had required airlines to allow aboard any animals whose human companions presented a doctor’s note attesting that they provide emotional comfort.

The results were nothing short of wild, with cats, pigs and turtles getting cleared for take-off.

Earlier this year, a Michigan woman brought a miniature horse named Fred on a first-class trip to California.

In 2018, a Brooklyn artist named Ventiko tried to bring her peacock, Dexter, aboard a Newark-to-LA flight — but United Airlines put its foot down, nixing the move over the bird’s size.

And in 2016, a turkey was spotted aboard a Delta flight.

Airlines have long groused that some passengers were abusing the privilege, whether to save a buck on transporting their furry and feathered friends cross-country or simply because they wanted company for their flights.

The new rule will likely force those passengers to check their animal pals into the cargo hold for a fee — or cut them out of their travel plans altogether.

Canines, however, remain flier’s best friend, with the new rule more narrowly defining a service animal as a dog trained to help a person with a disability.

The rule still requires airlines to treat dogs skilled in helping people with psychiatric issues, the same as other service animals, at the urging of advocates for groups including military veterans.

Airlines can, however, require owners to vouch for their dogs’ health, behavior and training.

They can also require fliers with service dogs to turn in paperwork up to 48 hours before a flight, but can’t bar those travelers from checking in online like other passengers.

The pooches must be leashed at all times during flights, and airlines can bar a pooch that demonstrates aggressive behavior.

Among the groups that lobbied for the change earlier this year was the Association of Flight Attendants, whose president, Sara Nelson, said, “The days of Noah’s Ark in the air are hopefully coming to an end.”

With Post wires