Nearly $4 million spent on airport dog bathrooms

ATLANTA - There are federal requirements at major airports. One obscure requirement mandates that service dogs are accommodated with a restroom -- a place to relieve themselves -- so they don't have to go on the carpet.

Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has constructed "relief centers". There are seven of them. The cost of these doggie bathrooms $3.9 million.

City council members got the price tag this week and eyes rolled.

Airport administrators explained any construction inside the airport facility is complex and can be expensive.

Thomas Nissalke explained it is because the airport is a 24-hour-a-day operation, limiting construction to overnight hours.

And in the case of some of these bathrooms, they had to be constructed over existing facilities that had to be torn down.

While officials spent airport funds, they are seeking permission to have all passengers pay for the doggie rooms by tapping the $4.50 charge that is on every airline ticket.