Chicago politician cracking down on 'fake' support animals at city's airports

(Fox News) - As national debate over the parameters for support animals in the high skies picks up strength, one Chicago politician hopes to tighten the leash on "fake" service and emotional support animals in the Windy City's two largest air hubs.

Chicago City Council member Edward Burke introduced an ordinance this week that would fully ban all animals without proper documentation from O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport, NBC News reports.

"While the intention of this ordinance is to ensure that passengers who need to be accompanied by service or emotional support animals in Chicago can do so, it is also important to put in place a set of rules that screen out any animals which do not serve a legitimate or officially recognized purpose," said Burke of the proposed measure, dubbed "Rules Proposed to Ground 'Fake' Comfort Animals at Chicago Airports."

Under the ordinance, service animal owners would have to give the Chicago Department of Aviation documentation from both a veterinarian and licensed medical or mental health professional proving that their animal's comfort is medically necessary at least 48 hours in advance of a trip, NBC reports.

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