Passengers force flight cancellation after blind man and guide dog kicked off

BELLPORT (NY) – Strangers come to the defense of a blind man kicked off a flight.

Passengers say Albert Rizzi was wrongfully thrown off the plane by a rude flight attendant. This happened aboard a U.S. Airways Express flight from Philadelphia to Long Island on Wednesday. Rizzi was told his dog, ‘Doxy,’ was out of control because she wouldn’t stay under the seat as the plane sat on the tarmac for an hour and a half.

"Feeling marginalized and disenfranchised,” Rizzi said. “My sense of confidence in the things that I've accomplished as a blind person were diminished. There was no time at all that my dog was off his leash and running around."

Passengers refused to fly in a show of support for Rizzi and his guide dog, so the flight was canceled. Passengers ended up taking a bus or took another flight to Long Island.

U.S. Airways officials say the crew’s safety was a factor and they have training for guide dog procedures. The airline is looking into the incident.