PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland International Airport is cracking down on animals in the airport as a growing number of issues have come up.
In May, KOIN 6 News reported 13% of the airport’s janitorial calls in 2017 were to clean up pet messes.
“We are finding or hearing reports of 3-4 times a day,” PDX spokesperson Kama Simonds told KOIN at the time.
Simonds said it cost the airport nearly $8,000 in one year to clean up after pets.
PDX does have a pet relief area, which are growing in popularity at airports nationwide.
There have also been incidents with travelers’ animals attacking police at TSA dogs and even a 5-year-old girl.
A new education campaign will ask travelers whether their pet is a service animal and what service it provides.
Trained service dogs that are specifically trained to benefit a person with a disability are allowed in the airport anytime, but all other animals are only allowed if they are traveling.
Animals that are traveling on a plane with people or being shipped by air need to be in pet carriers or a leash no longer than 3 feet.
Pet owners also need to make sure their animals are behaved and away from police and security dogs.