This is a very surprising outcome, given the pressure exerted by the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CAMJ): WestJet has decided to keep small pets in the airplane passenger cabin with their owners, making airplanes unsafe for the severely pet allergic.

This decision was made despite the recommendation from the CAMJ to remove pets from the passenger cabin as the only real way to protect those with severe pet allergies.

Robert Palmer, a WestJet spokesman, said that the airline is working with the allergic to come up with a compromise that will work for allergic passengers as well as pet owners.

This strange position on pets continues despite the fact that a WestJet passenger required medical attention for a severe reaction just last year after being exposed to a dog within an airline passenger cabin.

Air Canada, another Canadian air carrier, has reversed a previous ban on animal in the cabin and has allowed pets with their owners since July 2009.

Source: CBC News