Report: Dog Let Loose on Plane Bites Flight Attendant

(Dec. 6) -- A passenger traveling with a dog let it out of its carrier aboard a US Airways flight from Newark, N.J., to Phoenix this morning and it bit a flight attendant and another passenger, the airline said, forcing the plane to divert to Pittsburgh.

"The captain felt it was prudent to land in Pittsburgh and have the two checked out," airline spokesman Todd Lehmacher said.

There was no detail on the extent of the bites, but he said the flight attendant continued on to Phoenix when the plane took off again. It was not known whether the passenger traveling with the dog or the passenger who was bitten stayed on the flight.

US Airways says on its website that passengers may bring one small dog, cat or bird on board for a $100 fee each way. The pets must stay inside their carriers under the seat, the airline said.

"The customer let the dog out against our pet policy," Lehmacher said.

The flight was carrying 122 passengers and five crew members.