NEWARK, NJ — Did someone try to take an "emotional support" peacock aboard a flight at Newark Airport? That's the story that some travelers are telling about an incident that allegedly took place at the busy New Jersey airport (see video below).

According to reports, the owner tried to take the bird aboard a flight and even offered to purchase the animal its own seat. But United Airlines allegedly turned down the request, even when the woman said that the bird was an "emotional support animal." "This animal did not meet guidelines for a number of reasons, including its weight and size," a United spokesperson told FOX News. "We explained this to the customers on three separate occasions before they arrived at the airport."

The bird – which is named "Dexter" - belongs to Brooklyn-based artist Ventiko, NJ.com stated. According to Dexter's Instagram page, the bird is a seasoned traveler and is a "rescue" that lives with two cats as roommates. Emotional support animals are commonly used by PTSD sufferers and people diagnosed with depression or autism, among other conditions, according to the ESA Registration Of America.

Types of animals that can be registered as emotional support animals include dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, ferrets, birds, monkeys, bearded dragons and pigs, Register My Service Animal, LLC states. Emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, some state or local governments have laws that allow people to take emotional support animals into public places, according to the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.



Here's what United Airlines' website says about its policies regarding emotional support animals:

"Pursuant to the Department of Transportation (DOT) guidance for the carriage of service animals, United requires a passenger with a qualified disability traveling with a psychiatric/therapeutic/emotional support type animal to obtain documentation from their medical/mental health professional. This form is valid for one year from the date the licensed medical or mental health professional treating the person has signed this form. Other documentation may be required for travel entering or exiting an international location." United adds: