Emotional Support Peacock Barred From Newark Flight: Video

NEWARK, NJ — Did someone try to take an “emotional support” peacock aboard a flight at Newark Airport? That’s the story that some travelers are telling about an incident that allegedly took place at the busy New Jersey airport (see video below).

According to reports, the owner tried to take the bird aboard a flight and even offered to purchase the animal its own seat. But United Airlines allegedly turned down the request, even when the woman said that the bird was an “emotional support animal.”

“This animal did not meet guidelines for a number of reasons, including its weight and size," a United spokesperson told FOX News. "We explained this to the customers on three separate occasions before they arrived at the airport."

The bird – which is named “Dexter” - belongs to Brooklyn-based artist Ventiko, NJ.com stated. According to Dexter’s Instagram page, the bird is a seasoned traveler and is a “rescue” that lives with two cats as roommates.

Emotional support animals are commonly used by PTSD sufferers and people diagnosed with depression or autism, among other conditions, according to the ESA Registration Of America.

Types of animals that can be registered as emotional support animals include dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, ferrets, birds, monkeys, bearded dragons and pigs, Register My Service Animal, LLC states.

Emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, some state or local governments have laws that allow people to take emotional support animals into public places, according to the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

Here’s what United Airlines’ website says about its policies regarding emotional support animals:

“Pursuant to the Department of Transportation (DOT) guidance for the carriage of service animals, United requires a passenger with a qualified disability traveling with a psychiatric/therapeutic/emotional support type animal to obtain documentation from their medical/mental health professional. This form is valid for one year from the date the licensed medical or mental health professional treating the person has signed this form. Other documentation may be required for travel entering or exiting an international location.”

United adds:

“Service animals must be properly harnessed for the duration of the flight. Small animals may remain in the passenger's lap during the flight. If a carrier will be used, it must meet the USDA guidelines and fit under the aircraft seat."

United also adds a caveat:

“With respect to an animal used to assist a qualified individual with a disability, the animal must be trained to behave appropriately in a public setting. Animals found not to have been trained to behave will only be accepted in accordance with United's current pet policies or may be denied boarding.”

A Port Authority of NY/NJ spokesperson said that he had no information available about the alleged incident and that there was no record of any Port Authority police response. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page here.

Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo: YouTube / QC News