American Airlines Flight Diverts After Service Dog Bites Passenger

An American Airlines flight was forced to divert and make an emergency landing after a service dog bit another passenger onboard.

Flight Diverts After Dog Bites Passenger

The incident occurred yesterday on a flight between Provo Airport (PVU) and Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW). American Airlines Flight 4980, operated by SkyWest on behalf of American Eagle, was flying over northeastern New Mexico when it was forced to divert to Colorado Springs Airport (COS) and make an emergency landing.

According to local ABC News affiliate KRDO, American Airlines confirmed that a “service dog incident” was the reason for the diversion.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department confirmed to KRDO that they transported a patient from the airport to a local hospital because of a dog bite. However, they couldn’t tell the station how serious the injury was, or where the patient’s current condition. According to local law enforcement, the incident is not under investigation.

The CRJ-700, registration N767SK, spent roughly an hour and a half on the ground in Colorado Springs before flying to Dallas-Ft. Worth. The flight arrived two and a half hours after its scheduled arrival time.

This is an unfortunate incident for the victim, the dog, and its owner. As the owner of a 100lb German Shepherd, I can’t imagine a flight on a commercial airliner would be a stress-free experience for him.

While no specific information has been released regarding breed type, service animals are typically very well behaved and the ones that I’ve come across on my travels have been fantastic. Hopefully we get some more information on this incident soon and the victim has a speedy recovery.

Summary

A service dog onboard an American Eagle flight bit a passenger which forced the plane to divert. The flight between Utah and Dallas-Ft. Worth diverted to Colorado Springs where the victim was transported to a local hospital. The flight spent roughly an hour and a half on the ground before flying to Dallas-Ft. Worth.