United Airlines updated its policy on Thursday regarding emotional support animals. And no, Dexter the Peacock still won't be allowed to fly in cabin.
Beginning March 1, United Airlines fliers with emotional support animals must provide 48 hours notice to the airlines Accessibility Desk and also provide a veterinary form documenting health and vaccination records, as well as confirming appropriate behavioral training, United Airlines spokesman Charlie Hobart said.
The change comes after Brooklyn artist Ventiko and her exotic emotional support bird, Dexter, were turned away from a United flight from Newark to Los Angeles on Sunday, due to health and safety reasons. The peacock is being driven cross country, documenting its travels on Instagram.
The peacock's rejection brought attention to the emotional support animal policy like never before, Hobart said, but the policy was being reconsidered since 2017.
"It was a total coincidence. But the issue with the peacock helped illustrate to a much broader audience the need to revise the existing policy," Hobart said.
United's list of animals prohibited from traveling in cabins includes hedgehogs, insects, snakes, non-household birds, exotic animals and animals not properly cleaned or carrying a foul odor.
Emotional support peacock denied entry on United flight
The increase in travelers bringing emotional support animals on board could be due to "customers looking at this policy either with a loose interpretation of what it means or a loophole that they can take their animal on board for free," Hobart pointed out.
United Airlines carried 76,000 emotional support or service animals in 2017, a 77 percent increase year over year from 2016.
The policy update also comes on the heels of Delta's announcement to crack down on service or support animals, citing an 84 percent increase in animal incidents, including urination, biting and an attack by a 70-pound dog.
Also effective March 1, Delta will require passengers traveling with service or support animals to show proof of good health and up-to-date immunizations with 48 hours notice, as well as a document confirming behavioral training.
While United Airlines may be tightening its emotional support animal policy, animals can fly in cargo through the airline's PetSafe program, Hobart said.
"We understand many customers legitimately require an emotional support animals for their travels. Other animals will fly in cargo, but we have a whole service devoted to that," Hobart said. "It helps our other customers feel comfortable too."
Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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