Just a plane hog: 'Emotional support' pet pig kicked off US Airways flight

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 9 years ago

Just a plane hog: 'Emotional support' pet pig kicked off US Airways flight

By Barney Henderson
The woman and her pet pig leave the US Airways flight.

The woman and her pet pig leave the US Airways flight.Credit: Twitter

Pigs can't fly, it has been confirmed.

An American woman has been forced to get off a plane after bringing a 70-pound pot-bellied pig on board for "emotional support".

The woman carried the swine on board – which is apparently legal in America – and sat down at her seat, cradling the creature.

The pig was initially allowed on the flight as it was classes as an 'emotional support animal'.

The pig was initially allowed on the flight as it was classes as an 'emotional support animal'.Credit: Twitter

However, before long, the pig, which was on a leash, was reportedly out of control, pacing around the cabin and becoming "disruptive". It was also stinking out the cabin.

Jonathan Skolnik, a professor at the University of Massachusetts who was sitting next to the unnamed woman and her pig, said he initially thought the farmyard animal was a large duffel bag.

"It turns out it wasn't a duffel bag. We could smell it and it was a pig on a leash," Prof Skolnik recalled. "She tethered it to the arm rest next to me and started to deal with her stuff, but the pig was walking back and forth."

"I was terrified, because I was thinking 'I'm gonna be on the plane with the pig'," he said.

US Airways confirmed that the woman – and her pig – were then asked to get off the plane before it took off from Connecticut.

Advertisement

She had been allowed through security and onto the plane at the discretion of airline staff because the animal was classified as an "emotional support animal".

Monkeys, cats and miniature horses can all reportedly qualify as "emotional support animals" under a 2012 federal law. Pigs are apparently a popular choice in such cases for people allergic to cats and dogs because they are "tuned into their owners".

The Telegraph, London

Sign up for the Traveller newsletter

The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading