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After Delta Airlines has repressed support animals in planes, we explain the rules for traveling with one.
Robert Lindeman

Alaska Airlines is being sued after the family of a 5-year-old girl said she was injured by a pit bull at the company's gate in Portland in 2017. The Port of Portland and the dog owner are also named in the amount of $ 1.1 million lawsuit, which was filed Monday.

The lawsuit indicates that Gabriella Gonzalez was expecting a flight with her family on December 18, 2017, when Michelle Brannan's pit bull attacked her at an Alaska Airlines gate. Brannan's pit bull was not in a crate when the animal was submitted to Alaska's ticketing process and moved to Portland Harbor security, the lawsuit says.

"Ms. Brannan said the pit bull was an emotional support animal," according to the lawsuit.

"As a result of this incident, Gabriella Gonzalez was injured in the muscles, tendons, bones, nerves and soft tissues of her face, eyes, eyelids, tear ducts and lips. that to emotional trauma, consequences, are permanent and have caused him non-economic damage … 1 million dollars, "according to the lawsuit.

The complaint was filed in the Oregon District Court of Oregon, in Multnomah County.

Pit bulls deemed illegal in Waterford Township, Mich. (Photo: Courtney Hergesheimer, AP)

According to the lawsuit, Gonzalez should have undergone surgery "to repair complex facial lacerations and a damaged tear duct, he incurred medical expenses and will incur future medical expenses" of $ 100,000.

The lawsuit alleges that Brannan is responsible for Gonzalez's injuries.

The lawsuit accuses Brannan of having created "an unreasonable risk of harm to the public" by taking the dog to the airport. He also accuses the port of Portland and Alaska Airlines of being careless.

Alaska Airlines has updated its policy on emotional support animals Last year: "We are currently making these changes as a result of a number of recent incidents in which the inappropriate behavior of animals for psychological assistance has affected and even injured our employees," he said. 39, other customers and assistance animals, "said the airline.

And it's not the only airline to make changes recently. Delta has banned emotionally-supported animals on long-haul flights.

Today, the port of Portland told the United States: "We refrain from commenting on the details of the ongoing litigation".

Alaska Airlines declined to make a statement on this subject to both the Washington Post and the Oregonian. USA TODAY sought the advice of the airline.

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