Woman Tries To Enter An Emotional Support Peacock Into A New York Airport

This is the moment an unidentified is bringing a “wild animal” into the Newark airport. She is trying to get her emotional comfort animal onboard a United Airlines flight. She can be seen confidently strolling the corridors, juggling baggage while the peacock is perched on her trolley or on her shoulder. During the whole time this spectacle was closely followed by shocked looks of other passengers. It was so bizarre that one of them took out their camera and caught this visual signature that is to be left for posterity.

An emotional support animal is an animal (typically a dog or cat though this can include other species) that provides a therapeutic benefit to its owner through companionship. The animal provides emotional support and comfort to individuals with psychiatric disabilities and other mental impairments.

The peacock, reportedly called Dexter, belongs to Brooklyn-based artist Ventiko, who documents its life on social media. She has involved him in her photography and performance art. Even though Ventiko had offered to buy the bird its own plane ticket, the airline denied the service animal, stating unfavorable safety and public health concerns.

This video was one major straw that broke the camel’s back: airlines are cracking down on emotional support animals, starting with peacocks. Airlines have permitted some passengers with emotional or psychiatric difficulties to take emotional support animals on board with them, but their number has been rising in recent years, sparking suggestions that people are abusing the system.

What do you think about bringing peacocks or other exotic animals onboard air flights? Share with us in the comment section below.