A California woman, Oksana Kiritchenko, is suing JetBlue, claiming that her cancer returned after flight attendants refused to let her emotional support dog sit with her in first class. Kiritchenko alleges that on a return flight from Florida, she and her husband were not allowed to bring their French Bulldog, Pier, with them in the cabin. Despite being allowed to board, the flight attendant demanded that the dog be moved to a smaller bag or they would have to leave the plane. Unable to comply, the plane was forced to return to the airport and the Kiritchenkos were removed. Kiritchenko claims the stress of the incident led to her cancer recurring. The lawsuit accuses JetBlue of negligence and violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Kiritchenkos are seeking reimbursement for medical expenses, attorneys’ fees, and damages. JetBlue has 21 days to respond to the allegations. This incident has drawn attention to the importance of accommodating emotional support animals for passengers with disabilities. Such incidents highlight the need for airlines to have clear policies in place to ensure the well-being of all passengers.
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