Q400
Flight Attendant Current
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Misconduct
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Procedure
I would like to inform you of a situation that occurred upon boarding and during the flight. A woman with four young children [boarded] with a [large service animal] a Bernese Mountain dog.  I could see by the size it was going to be a challenge for that dog to stay under the seats.  As they proceeded to board I ask the agent if this dog was going to fit. The owner of the dog replied 'I travel with the dog all the time'. I advised her that the dog would have to stay out of the aisle during all phases of flight. She agreed to that; but the dog proceeded to lay its head in the aisle. I believe I reminded the owner to keep the dog out of the aisle several times. The owner replied 'As soon as you quit going up and down the aisle he will'. Customers were taking pictures of the dog's head out in the aisle. My concern is for our safety [in an] emergency situation. I tripped over the dog [twice]; as [did] my fellow FA.I would like to suggest there be more specific/stricter guidelines of size of dogs approved to be in aircraft cabin. This is a situation that needs to be investigated a little more. There [are] more and more dogs; bigger and bigger than before.
Q400 Flight Attendant reported a passenger boarded with a large service dog that became a hazard to anyone walking down the aisle.