Passenger who boarded flight with 'emotional support squirrel' removed

Rodents are not allowed as emotional support pets, says Frontier Airlines

A passenger was removed from a flight on Tuesday 9 October when she turned up with an “emotional support” squirrel.

Frontier Airlines, a US airline based in Denver, asked Orlando Police to escort the passenger (and the rodent) off the aircraft when she refused to disembark.

It took place on flight 1612, flying from Orlando, Florida, to Cleveland, Ohio.

In a statement sent to The Independent, Frontier said the passenger had told the airline she was bringing an emotional support animal, but “it was not indicated that it was a squirrel”.

The statement added: “Rodents, including squirrels, are not allowed on Frontier flights. The passenger was advised of the policy and was asked to deplane.

“When she refused to deplane, Orlando Police were called and everyone was deplaned so police could deal with the passenger. Police eventually escorted the passenger off the aircraft and returned her to the main terminal.”

The airline currently allows passengers to bring an emotional support animal onboard as long as they’re not “unusual or exotic animals including but not limited to rodents, reptiles, insects, hedgehogs, rabbits, sugar gliders, non-household birds”.

From 1 November, Frontier’s rules are changing to restrict emotional support animals to either a dog or a cat, and the airline requires that 48 hours’ notice be given. Frontier states that if the animal is being “disruptive” – barking, scratching, growling, defecating or urinating – it may be denied boarding.

The airline added that rodents are not allowed to fly as emotional support animals under both the original and new policy.

In September, Texas-based Southwest Airlines moved to restrict emotional support animals to either a dog or a cat. It followed an incident in which an emotional support dog was removed for biting a child’s face.

Some of the strangest animals that have been brought onboard as emotional support pets include a peacock, a turkey and a monkey.