When pigs fly
2012-07-11 16:16
The day pigs fly may come a lot sooner than we all expected, as the US Department of Transportation could allow exotic pets to board flights in the near future, Huffington Post reports.
That is as long as they are there to provide emotional support to human passengers, or are used as service animals.
According to the Daily Mail, the proposed new rule is part of a draft manual on equality for people with disabilities who fly commercial airlines. Under it, animals like pot-bellied pigs, miniature horses and monkeys would be allowed on commercial flights provided they fit the above criteria.
However, carriers don't have to admit "unusual" animals like ferrets, rodents, spiders, snakes and other reptiles, reports CNS News.
Ground staff would be saddled with the responsibility of determining whether an exotic pet qualifies as a service animal or not, and would be allowed to ask for verification as to whether an animal is allowed on board if there is a "reasonable basis for questioning."
But, "if you determine that the pot-bellied pig is a service animal, you must permit the service animal to accompany the passenger to her seat provided the animal does not obstruct the aisle or present any safety issues and the animal is behaving appropriately in a public setting," the Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel: Draft Technical Assistance Manual says.
