In 2018, a woman at New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport attempted to board a cross-country United Airlines flight with a peacock named Dexter.
Although the woman claimed the bird — which had its own seat purchased for the trip — was an emotional support animal, the airline refused to let Dexter travel due to health and safety concerns. Soon after, Delta Airlines announced a tightening of regulations for service and emotional support animals, noting that customers were attempting to board flights with turkeys, snakes, spiders and sugar gliders, among other species.
It's not hard to find numerous stories like these — including a passenger whose support pig began pooping in the aisle of a U.S. Airways flight before take-off. But all of them might make you wonder the same thing: What exactly constitutes as a service animal?
What Is a Service Animal?
In short, the answer depends on whom you ask.
