A female passenger aboard a flight with an emotional support pig had to disembark after the animal was deemed disruptive. The pair was seated on a US Airways flight in Hartford, Connecticut, on Thanksgiving eve but was asked to leave before takeoff.
According to the passenger seated next to the woman and her support animal, the hog created a disturbance due to its constant squealing and smell. At one point, it even defecated on the aisle.
Another passenger described the animal as a pot-bellied pig weighing anywhere between 50 to 70 pounds. The owner carried the hog over her shoulders and was at first believed by many to be a duffel bag.
According to American Airlines, emotional support animals are allowed on flights as long as they are not disruptive. Other factors like the animal’s size and foreign country restrictions determine whether the animal would be allowed.
Emotional support animals are used to provide emotional and therapeutic support for those struggling with psychiatric disability. Even then, an emotional support pig is a bit unusual. Animals used for support often consist of typical house pets like a dog or cat. The Department of Transportation, however, noted that people have been known to use monkeys and even ponies as a support animal. Each scenario is unique and has to be look at on a case-by-case basis whether the animal is permitted on an aircraft.
This actually isn’t the first time that a passenger boarded a flight with an emotional support pig; a similar incident occurred in 2000. In that case, though, the pig and its owner were allowed to fly, much to the chagrin of other passengers whom complained about the unruly creature. US airways quickly admitted afterwards that letting the animal on board was a mistake and that it would not happen again.
[photo credit: Maurice]
Emotional Support Pig And Its Owner Booted Off US Airways Flight
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