A woman left passengers and staff horrified after she took out her cat from its carrier and breastfed it on the flight.
“This woman had one of those, like, hairless cats swaddled up in a blanket so it looked like a baby. Her shirt was up and she was trying to get the cat to latch and she wouldn’t put the cat back in the carrier. And the cat was screaming for its life,” Ainsley Elizabeth, a flight attendant from that flight mentioned in the video she posted on TikTok.
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The incident happened on a Delta Air flight DL1360 to Atlanta.
According to a now-viral message which appears to be from the pilot of Delta Air flight DL1360 to Atlanta, the woman refused to stop despite repeated pleas from the cabin crew.
“Req Redcoat meet AC Pax (passenger) in (seat) 13A is breastfeeding a cat and will not put cat back in its carrier when FA (flight attendant) requested,” read an Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System message, which was reportedly from the flight’s crew.
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Rules state that passengers are allowed to bring their small dogs and cats in the cabin, but must stay in a case under the seat in front for the entire flight.
Emotional support animals (ESAs) are companions for some people with mental or emotional conditions, the presence of a dog is critical to their ability to function normally on a daily basis.
The pet provides emotional support and comfort that helps them deal with challenges that might otherwise compromise their quality of life.
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The pet needs to be prescribed by a licensed mental health professional to a person with a disabling mental illness. A therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist must determine that the presence of the animal is needed for the mental health of the patient. For example, owning a pet might ease a person’s anxiety or give them a focus in life.
The American airline says it has experienced around 84% surge in incidents relating to emotional support animals in last few years.
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