Posted on 01/17/2015 5:57:02 AM PST by rellimpank
Frequent fliers offer up a silent prayer each time they board a plane: Please, God, don't let me be seated next to a gregarious blowhard or a crying baby. Soon enough, they might want to add, or a pig.
In November, a woman and her "emotional support pig" were thrown off a USAirways flight after the 70-pound ham became disruptive — relieving itself in the aisle and grunting while the woman tried to stow her carry-on.
That was a first for most passengers, we suspect. But it's not unusual any more to find all sorts of emotional support livestock in the aircraft cabin. Or on a bus or train, in a mall or restaurant, even at museums and sporting venues.
Chihuahuas, rabbits, monkeys, parrots, turtles, guinea pigs, snakes, you name it. Some of them are there because their owners have physical disabilities or crippling emotional needs. Others are there because their owners bought phony certificates and "service animal" vests online.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Next they will throw you off the plane for having your emotional support blow up doll with you!!!
I had to use this link.
—thanks—I used what appeared to be a “cached copy” but that doesn’t always work—I’ve used up my free samples of the Trib for the month-—
Pigs ain’t pets, they’re FOOD for cripes sake!
I used a trick I read about here on FR.
When I couldn’t get in through The Trib I went to Google and typed in “emotional support pigs” and connected that way.
.
Years ago I had an emotional support pig.......... but then....... she got big and .............. we ate her. SOB....... I miss Fern........she was delicious!
Another reason not to fly.
Lotta pork chops there!
—thanks—I’ve done that , too —
Apparently we each have to use that trick, because all of the links here just butt us out.
I hold my wife last week I’d like to have one of those vests for myself.
Get a few guffaws. :^)
It really has gotten out of hand.
Nope, still won’t let me see it.
Why have you posted a picture of a skinny Mississippi woman?
I dunno, airborne bacon would likely give flying jihadis second thoughts.
Yes, I agree.
Sorry, animal lovers (yes, I am one), I cringe when I see this stuff.
Only the original “service” dogs, blind guides, really have evident credentials. Otherwise, the best evidence of service is some kind of other physical handicap (yes, I’m not PC, am I). Even then, since the dogs (or other animals) do not have to do anything but be “on call”, it is not obvious the dog is really qualified to “help”. A guy could be in a wheelchair, but his dog is really just, well, his dog. Their service dogs just sort of hang close to them, that is all. They should be able to show they actually listen to commands in such cases.
As for inner handicaps, such as PTSD, epilepsy, etc, are they required to show any obedience? If not, how do we prove the dog actually is used for “sensing impending problems”?
If there is going to be any kind of service from an animal, there really needs to be control of what the dogs learn, where they learn it, and certification/license to show they ARE what is claimed to be. The vest does not cut it.
I would make allowances for a small, pot bellied pig. No chance of a muslim hijacker crashing that plane.
If it keeps islamists off the flight I’m on, then I am all for it.
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