Des Moines airport installing $100,000 dog bathrooms

New law requires indoor animal facilities, which includes La Crosse

There may have been some howling heard at Des Moines city hall, when plans were announced for a $100,000 pet restroom at the airport.

A federal law says U.S. airports that handle more than 10,000 passengers a year have to provide an indoor space for animal relief, beginning in August. That includes the La Crosse Regional Airport.

La Crosse Airport director Clint Torp says the solution to the problem here won’t cost anywhere near $100,000.

“What we’re going to be doing is providing pet relief pads that will be available as needed, and designating the handicap stalls in our restrooms for the dog to do its business,” Torp said.

Service animals at the airport already have a designated area outside the La Crosse terminal building.

What do you think about this? @dsmairport plans to spend up to $100,000 to build a bathroom — for service animals https://t.co/F8Rig7AE94

— Des Moines Register (@DMRegister) July 13, 2016

The purpose of the law is to keep people who have already gone through security from having to do so again, just to let their animals outside.

At the Des Moines airport, 10 seats are being removed in the waiting area to make way for an animal restroom.