A peacock made headlines last week after it was denied board by United Airlines despite having its own ticket for a seat. The “emotional support peacock” named Dexter had been booked on a cross-country flight from New Jersey’s Newark International airport to Los Angeles last Sunday but was turned away by the airline citing “health and safety concerns.”
Dexter’s owner, Ventiko, a New York City-based performance artist and photographer, caused quite a scene at the airport with her “emotional support peacock” due to its sheer size. The exotic bird with green and blue plumage drew some confused glances from passengers and caused social media frenzy.
Dexter the peacock was denied flying by UA. Credit: TheJetset.tv
Images of Dexter perched on an airport baggage trolley and his owner attempting to catch a flight emerged via a travel-based talk show, The Jet Set.
Dexter has an Instagram account which noted that his “human friends” will be driving him across the country, after he was denied flight. After 6 hours at the airport, the exotic bird and its “human friends” took to the road and drove across the country to California.
According to the United Airlines spokesperson, it had been explained to the peacock’s owner thrice “before they arrived at the airport” that her “emotional support peacock” did not meet the required guidelines for permissible pets for various reasons including its weight and size.
Airlines have allowed some passengers with emotional or psychiatric problems to take therapy animals on board with them. However, the number of people bringing “emotional support animals” on planes has increased over the years, leading to calls that people were now abusing the system.
Hobie the Pig with owner Angelica Spanos. Credit: Twitter
In 2014, a woman was escorted off a US Airways flight when her pet pig named Hobie, squealed and defecated before the flight took off.
Under the 1986 Air Carrier Access Act, support and service animals are allowed into the cabin free of charge. But there is a gray area. The Department of Transportation said airlines are “required to accommodate passengers with disabilities who depend on the assistance of service animals within limits.”
In line with Federal guidelines supporting the right of passengers with disabilities to board flights with their “emotional support pets”, United Airlines has updated its policy that will take effect on March 1st.
Dexter and his owner, photographer and artist, Ventiko. Credit: Instagram
“The Department of Transportation’s rules regarding emotional support animals are not working as they were intended and we need to change our approach in order to ensure a safe and pleasant travel experience for all our customers,” read a statement from the airline.
United’s move follows Delta’s decision to implement new documentation requirements for owners hoping to fly with their animals, a new policy it said “comes as a lack of regulation that has led to serious safety risks involving untrained animals in flight.”
That airline said it had seen an 84 per cent jump in reports of animal incidents since 2016, including an emotional support dog weighing over 30 kilograms that gave another passenger facial wounds requiring 28 stitches.
Dexter the “Emotional Support Peacock” with owner Ventiko in New York City. Credit: Facebook
“Customers have attempted to fly with comfort turkeys, gliding possums known as sugar gliders, snakes, spiders and more,” said Delta.
“Ignoring the true intent of existing rules governing the transport of service and support animals can be a disservice to customers who have real and documented needs.”
Airlines are “not required to accommodate unusual service animals such as snakes, reptiles, ferrets, rodents, and spiders.” However, airlines do have a right to refuse to carry animals due to their weight or size or if it poses a health or safety threat and even seen that it would disrupt cabin service.
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