Military hero denied flight, as was his owner

Hot on the heels of a prestigious award for top dog of the year, an esteemed passenger was denied access to an American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Fredericksberg, VA. And his owner was too.

Axel, having been presented with the award for Service Dog Of The Year by the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards, was stopped at the gate and ultimately banned from the flight. Captain Jason Haag, the owner of Axel, and a former Marine who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan was told he needs to provide paperwork to prove Axel was indeed a service dog. But Haag posted this on his Facebook page:

“Well I answered all their questioned but didn’t provide “paperwork” because 1) it’s illegal to ask for and against federal law 2) I don’t carry it because I’ve never had issue 3) I called ahead and everything was fine 4) but I did provide an ID to try and appease them. But to no avail,”

Captain Haag, according to First Coast News, said he had been in line for two hours when authorities pulled him out and demanded proof that Axel was indeed a service dog. Captain Haag, his wife and his dog got a hotel, some clean clothes and a flight home by the American Humane Association.

The captain had served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, returning with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. He was then paired with Axel in 2012 through K9s for Warriors, a group that connects disabled veterans with service dogs.

American Airlines spokeswoman Victoria Lupica issued an apology on Monday says ABC News:

"We apologise to both Captain Haag and his family for the confusion with the travel plans, yesterday. Thank you Captain Haag for your service to your country. We are extremely proud to fly you, Axel and your family."

Despite service to your nation, every dog apparently must have its day.