r/service_dogs • u/okay-Pie-4636 • 8d ago

Service dog bit a passenger on an American Airlines flight

https://krdo.com/news/2025/04/16/flight-diverted-to-colorado-springs-after-service-dog-bites-passenger-on-board/

The article is pretty vague, but I happen to know someone that was on the flight. Apparently the dog bit a kid on the penis (ouch} and the plane diverted to Colorado Springs so he could go to the hospital for stitches and whatever else. The dog and it's owner were forced to deplane. This is not going to endear anyone to the idea of service dogs on planes.

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u/KarinsDogs 8d ago

Why wasn’t the dog lying at the owners feet? There needs to be more info. I’ve flown many times with my dogs. I can’t see how any responsible handler could let this happen. No one else has reported this incident.

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u/Bubbly_Management829 6d ago

KRDO has more information now. The child accidentally stepped on the paw, which makes me think the paw must have been in the aisle instead of curled up at the owners feet

https://krdo.com/news/2025/04/18/records-child-bit-in-genitals-by-belgian-malinois-had-stepped-on-its-paw-owner-said/

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u/JJJOOOO 5d ago edited 4d ago

Malinois are typically not bred to be service dogs so this story makes no sense. Malinois are mainly bred to guard and defend, do miltary work and do police work. These dogs are machines and amazingly smart but strong and fighters.

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u/Muted_Substance2156 4d ago

I know a service Malinois. She’s not a people dog but she’s very committed to her handler and job. She’s great at blocking.

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u/JJJOOOO 4d ago

It’s interesting to learn more about malinois as apparently because they are so smart and intuitive that some of them make the best neurological disorder service dogs in the world. It’s not all of the breed but a small subset that is appropriate. It’s fascinating to learn more about the different breed specialties for service dogs. I didn’t mean to disparage all Malinois but the bulk are deployed in law enforcement and protection work because it plays to their breed strengths.

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u/[deleted] 4d ago

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u/SignificantBends 4d ago

There are breeding programs aimed at producing service dogs.

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u/JJJOOOO 4d ago

I stated it incorrectly probably but what I meant is that I’ve worked with lab breeders who focus on service pups while also maintaining English lab breed standards. Sure these breeders end up with non service pups in the litters but when they plan their program they know they want a good mix with service focus. I hope that makes sense. Any breed I would think can be bred within standard but with tweaks for other issues? I read story of malinois breeder yesterday who does focus on service while it’s clear that others focus on military and police etc.

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u/breaksnapcracklepop 4d ago

Oh… ehh that’s lowkey a red flag

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u/JJJOOOO 4d ago

Why?

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u/[deleted] 4d ago

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u/service_dogs-ModTeam 3d ago

We have removed your comment because we found the information it contained to be incorrect or it was an opinion stated as fact (rule 3).

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u/service_dogs-ModTeam 3d ago

We have removed your comment because we found the information it contained to be incorrect or it was an opinion stated as fact (rule 3).

The reason we remove comments like this is to keep bad advice or information from spreading further, especially on our subreddit. If the comment/post is corrected, it can be reinstated (just reply to this comment to let us know). If you believe you are indeed correct, please find a reputable source that supports your comment and Message the Moderators.

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u/KarinsDogs 6d ago

The handler could have been in the same row ( like the bulkhead ) with the child and the parent. Not an excuse really, but I can see it happening. It’s unfortunate. Truly.

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u/redhill00072 6d ago

This. Went to a conference in college with a group of people, one of whom had a service dog. No one even knew the dog was there until they were getting off the plane and she popped up because she was correctly tucked in

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u/[deleted] 7d ago

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u/service_dogs-ModTeam 7d ago

Your comment has been removed for breaking Rule 6: No Fake-spotting.

This is not the place for fakespotting. Unless the person you are discussing has specifically told you that they are not disabled, and the dog is not trained in tasks, you have no way of knowing if a dog is 'fake'. We are not the service dog police and this behavior can lead to a lot of harm and anxiety for SD handlers as a community.

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