This Pig Really Can't Fly: Woman Asked to Remove 'Disruptive' Pig From Plane

By Brian McCready, Patch Editor

Now maybe if the pig flew first class this could have had a different ending.

A 50-70 pound pig was all set to take off from Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Conn. Wednesday when the animal was booted from the plane just before takeoff, ABC News reports.

Supposedly, the pig was defecating on the plane and screaming at the top of its lungs, disrupting passengers, according to the Daily Mail.

One passenger said she was ”terrified” once she saw the pig emerge from a duffel bag. The pig was kept on a leash and was walking around the plane, the passenger told ABC News.

The pig smelled and was was acting unruly, the passenger added.

So Why Was the Pig on the Plane in the First Place?

Good question. A U.S. Airways spokesperson said the pig was allowed onboard because the passenger said the animal was there for ”emotional support.”

Apparently, there are guidelines for such things. According to a CNSnews.com 2012 article potbellied pigs must be allowed passage if they are used for emotional support, according to the Department of Transportation.

And, lo and behold, it’s right there in the Federal Register, the Daily Journal of the United States Government. There is a passage that deals directly with the type of situation mentioned above.

“A passenger arrives at the gate accompanied by a pot-bellied pig. She claims that the pot-bellied pig is her service animal. What should you do?

Generally, you must permit a passenger with a disability to be accompanied by a service animal. However if you have a reasonable basis for questioning whether the animal is a service animal, you may ask for some verification. Usually written verification is not required.

You may begin by asking questions about the service animal, for example, “What tasks or functions does your animal perform for you?” or “What has its training been?” If you are not satisfied with the credibility of the answers to these questions or if the service animal is an emotional support or psychiatric service animal, you may request further verification.

You should also call a CRO if there is any further doubt as to whether the pot-bellied pig is the passenger’s service animal.

Finally, if you determine that the pot-bellied pig is a service animal, you must permit the service animal to accompany the passenger to her seat provided the animal does not obstruct the aisle or present any safety issues and the animal is behaving appropriately in a public setting.”

The manual goes on to state, “Even if you receive sufficient verification that an animal accompanying a passenger is a service animal, if the service animal’s behavior in a public setting is inappropriate or disruptive to other passengers or carrier personnel, you may refuse to permit the animal on the flight and offer the passenger alternative accommodations…”

It appears the airline did everything according to the book that governs this type of thing.

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