Giant Emotional Support Peacock Denied Seat On Flight, And Here’s How Internet Reacts

Emotional support animals are companions that a medical professional has prescribed as helpful to someone with a disability. These animals are usually dogs, and can fly aboard planes with their humans. But this woman had different ideas, and brought along her emotional support peacock for her flight to L.A. from Newark Airport.

Needless to say, it didn’t go well. Despite being warned three times that Dexter the peacock would not be allowed to travel with her, conceptual artist Ventiko showed up at the airport anyway. Dexter was promptly turned away by United Airlines, but not before creating a spectacle in the airport and igniting a fierce debate about the merits of emotional support animals and people’s perceived abuse of the system that allows them to travel.

Since he couldn’t get on his flight, Dexter shot out a message on his Instagram outlining the next step. “Spent 6 hours trying to get on my flight to LA. Tomorrow my human friends are going to drive me cross country! Keep an eye out for us!”

Since he was purchased by Ventiko for an art installation some time ago, Dexter has bonded with the artist. He is now a regular part of her art, and we are sure you will see more of the pair in times to come. If nothing else, this airport saga has certainly provided great publicity for them.

Scroll down below to see how the story unfolded below, and let us know what you think in the comments. Should United have let Dexter fly? Or is this an abuse of the emotional support animal premise? We look forward to your opinions!

This is Dexter the emotional support peacock, trying to board a flight from Newark to L.A.

Giant Emotional Support Peacock Denied Seat On Flight, And Here’s How Internet Reacts

Image credits: thejetsettv

He was denied a seat on the flight, even after his owner, conceptual artist Ventiko, offered to pay for his seat

Giant Emotional Support Peacock Denied Seat On Flight, And Here’s How Internet Reacts

Image credits: Dexter The Peacock

Emotional support animals are usually dogs, sometimes cats. So it was a surprise to see a peacock at the airport

Giant Emotional Support Peacock Denied Seat On Flight, And Here’s How Internet Reacts

Image credits: thejetsettv

And it sparked quite a debate among the readers of this story

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Others didn’t think it was such a good idea

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This event also helped to uncover one of the most awesome Instagram accounts out there

Giant Emotional Support Peacock Denied Seat On Flight, And Here’s How Internet Reacts

Image credits: Dexter The Peacock

Based in Brooklyn, Dexter and Ventiko like to go on walks together through New York

Giant Emotional Support Peacock Denied Seat On Flight, And Here’s How Internet Reacts

Image credits: Dexter The Peacock

Their story started when Ventiko purchased Dexter for an art installation

Giant Emotional Support Peacock Denied Seat On Flight, And Here’s How Internet Reacts

Image credits: Dexter The Peacock

And she found a home for him afterward

Giant Emotional Support Peacock Denied Seat On Flight, And Here’s How Internet Reacts

Image credits: Dexter The Peacock

But knowing that Dexter was living all alone there, she had to take him with her

Giant Emotional Support Peacock Denied Seat On Flight, And Here’s How Internet Reacts

Image credits: Dexter The Peacock

And they bonded immediately

Giant Emotional Support Peacock Denied Seat On Flight, And Here’s How Internet Reacts

Image credits: Dexter The Peacock

Now they’ve been together ever since and he works with her on her art projects

Giant Emotional Support Peacock Denied Seat On Flight, And Here’s How Internet Reacts

Image credits: Dexter The Peacock

And if you’re still wondering how they’ll get to LA, Ventiko said they’ll go on an epic drive across the country

Giant Emotional Support Peacock Denied Seat On Flight, And Here’s How Internet Reacts

Image credits: Dexter The Peacock

Watch the video below:

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Greta is a Photo Editor-in-Chief at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication.In 2016, she graduated from Digital Advertising courses where she had an opportunity to meet and learn from industry professionals. In the same year, she started working at Bored Panda as a photo editor.Greta is a coffeeholic and cannot survive a day without 5 cups of coffee... and her cute, big-eared dog.Her biggest open secret: she is a gamer with a giant gaming backlog.

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What do you think ?

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Lara B. 6 years ago

I am sorry to be a bit harsh here. I do understand the whole concept of emotional support animals. But for christ sake, she bought him for an art installation and all of a sudden he is her support animal? I would be rather upset if I had to sit next to a peacock on a plane. Don't get me wrong, I love all sorts of animals, but this goes too far.

101points

Kenny Kulbiski 6 years ago

Agreed. It's nothing more than a selfish publicity stunt with no thought about the welfare of the peacock.

50points

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Daria B 6 years ago

I agree with everything you said. Enough is enough.

10points

Jennifer .S 6 years ago

I honestly think I'd be more concerned for the peacock and whether it's gonna feel comfortable stuck on that plane

8points

Troux 6 years ago

Faking it to get your favorite pet around is getting very common. Read this article from a confessed faker: http://www.cracked.com/personal-experiences-2156-healthy-people-are-faking-disabilities-to-get-service-dog.html

7points

Alec 6 years ago

Well, the way I see it she probably got her wish. This was never about an emotional support animal. It was about a so-called-artist's desperate ploy to go viral by causing a scene that would draw attention to her instagram. Do I think there are people who need an emotional support animal? Yes, and they should be accommodated, but people like this woman who abuse the system to promote herself are ruining things for everyone else.

55points

Carmen Devore-Blakestad 6 years ago

He's her pet, nothing more. She's just trying to game the system. The last tweet in the article says it best. This woman needs to grow up and live in the real world.

44points

A Ghost 6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

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Lara B. 6 years ago

101points

Kenny Kulbiski 6 years ago

Agreed. It's nothing more than a selfish publicity stunt with no thought about the welfare of the peacock.

50points

Load More Replies...

Daria B 6 years ago

I agree with everything you said. Enough is enough.

10points

Jennifer .S 6 years ago

I honestly think I'd be more concerned for the peacock and whether it's gonna feel comfortable stuck on that plane

8points

Troux 6 years ago

7points

Alec 6 years ago

55points

Carmen Devore-Blakestad 6 years ago

He's her pet, nothing more. She's just trying to game the system. The last tweet in the article says it best. This woman needs to grow up and live in the real world.

44points

A Ghost 6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Related on Bored Panda

Giant Emotional Support Peacock Denied Seat On Flight, And Here’s How Internet Reacts

This is Dexter the emotional support peacock, trying to board a flight from Newark to L.A.

He was denied a seat on the flight, even after his owner, conceptual artist Ventiko, offered to pay for his seat

Emotional support animals are usually dogs, sometimes cats. So it was a surprise to see a peacock at the airport

And it sparked quite a debate among the readers of this story

Others didn’t think it was such a good idea

This event also helped to uncover one of the most awesome Instagram accounts out there

Based in Brooklyn, Dexter and Ventiko like to go on walks together through New York

Their story started when Ventiko purchased Dexter for an art installation

And she found a home for him afterward

But knowing that Dexter was living all alone there, she had to take him with her

And they bonded immediately

Now they’ve been together ever since and he works with her on her art projects

And if you’re still wondering how they’ll get to LA, Ventiko said they’ll go on an epic drive across the country

Watch the video below:

Games

Greta Jaruševičiūtė

Greta Jaruševičiūtė