Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- With all respect for what this poor woman must be feeling about this . . . it is certainly something new in the news. And the bright green ribbon around the guy's neck is festive and fun. He dressed up, at least.
After the chuckles, though, I wonder what the airlines were thinking about passenger SAFETY with a pig allowed on the flight. I know they can be gentle, loving creatures but they can also really bite! Flights are stressful for people but for a pig that has to be squeezed in (where?) . . . .
ANY animal can apparently be a service animal, ANY kind of animal at all. Details in the article about that, no distinction at all about the kinds of animals and any certification.
Not one word about muzzles. Or diapers. Poor thing. It's not his fault. Junk food from the concourse food kiosks probably went right through him - or he got a nervous tummy.
Airline: 'Emotional support' pig kicked off flight for being disruptive
US Airways - Connecticut's Bradley International Airport on Wednesday.
Passengers say a pig ran up and down aisle and left a foul mess
Pig was allowed on flight as "emotional support animal," airline spokeswoman says
DOT says animals that provide emotional support qualify as service animals in some cases -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Pigs are great therapy animals for people who are allergic to furred animals.
I would LOVE to own a pig. They are as smart as dogs and can be house trained. That pig either was poorly trained or had some pre-flight anxiety.
Unfortunately a lot of places try to say a pig is a farm animal and not a pet.
The biggest problem is it's hard to know how large a pig will get. Breeders sell teacup pigs that can either stay small, or grow to 200lbs. It's kind of a crap shoot unfortunately.
-------------------- Sick since 2000 Bulls eye 2005 Dx Babesia, Lyme 2014 Posts: 247 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Aug 2014
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Posted in lightness, though. A "glad I'm not there" having to carry the pig back off the plane sort of situation. I do hope some kind of other arrangements were made for the woman to get to her destination.
The PHOTO, though, that's worth a look.
Oh, I know pigs can have a kind heart, so to speak. But that is no guarantee that just any pig can be safe around a plane full of people crammed like sardines.
There is no certificate to prove the animal has gone through training that involves the kind of stress likely encountered on a plane.
I want some kind of proof any animal on a flight has "graduated a flight class" of sorts, behavioral training and the like. Any therapy animal allowed to interact with public deserves such training for their own safety and that of others.
In fairness, the owner may have done some kind of training with the pig. But the article was pretty clear that no airline requires any kind of safety training for any therapy pet [although some therapy dogs who have completed training sport "certification" on their vest].
Toilet access for the pig during flight, alone, would seem impossible. Not to mention, its need to move about.
The SIZE of that pig, alone, makes it unsuitable for an airplane flight. Even a normal sized human has a hard time fitting into an airline seat.
It was no service to the poor pig to try making him squeeze into this circumstance. It's not really fair to people to make them squeeze into a plane seat, either, but that's a different issue.
This past summer, a "therapy" dog mauled & killed a smaller dog on a bus in my city. Sadly, the "therapy" dog had not gone through any training although had been a true (and necessary)) companion to the homeless teenager who had found it just weeks prior. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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poppy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5355
posted
Think I will take my therapy gorilla on my next plane ride. Apparently anything goes.
How silly is this? They should never have let that animal on in the first place. No animals belong in the passenger cabin of an aircraft.
Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Pigs can hold it like dogs, but I imagine said pig had never been on plane. My own dog would probably get nervous and lose her bowels!
The problem with therapy animals is, most places are afraid to confront owners and get a complaint lodged by the ADA. You don't want to grill the wrong owner.
I've learned in my jobs to ask, is this a therapy animal. But people don't usually have documentation ( and you could buy s vest ) so if they say yes, there isnt much you can say. I've been told I couldn't ask for documentation.
I would think an airline would require pre-approval, but I guess not. The problem is, a seeing eye dog would not be put in cargo, so you never really know what the animal is for.
Some people have epilepsy animals and whatnot.
-------------------- Sick since 2000 Bulls eye 2005 Dx Babesia, Lyme 2014 Posts: 247 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Aug 2014
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MADDOG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 18
posted
I like pigs - ham,bacon,roast,cracklins,loin chops.
Kitties are better here kittie kittie kittie.
HE HE HE HE !!!!!!
MMMMMM.
MADDOG
Posts: 4046 | From Ohio | Registered: Oct 2000
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
Maddog,
Thats terrible,,,,,terrible funny
Everybody already KNOWS
Pigs cant fly!!!!!!
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
Can I bring my support horse on the plane?
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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posted
I want to hear a yea or neigh on that one...
Posts: 13155 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Hey, I think we should have the airplane cabins divided into those who want to give & receive hugs, shoulder / neck massages during flight and those who need their space, prefer to take in solitude.
Personal space (physical & verbal) and solitude should also be honored on a flight, of course. [Like that can ever be but, hey, nice thought!]
I can see where this might go but, seriously, if we encouraged a more hugging culture, in a healthful way, everywhere -- and with those who want to participate -- I think a lot of people would feel better in many ways.
An "etiquette" & mindfulness segment would have to go before all the hugging started, of course. But on a plane, where all are tucked in like sardines, anyway, some hugging could work, eh?
Someone holding my hand during white knuckle turbulence would be nice. In all seriousness, what does it say about our society that someone has to bring an animal to get a little cuddling in a rough situation?
Animals are great but if people weren't so off putting - and understood so many kinds of kind touch without agenda - how much better would that be? -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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