After the uproar when an 'emotional support peacock' was banned from an aeroplane, United Airlines has released a list of banned animals.

The list includes hedgehogs, ferrets, insects, rodents, snakes, spiders, reptiles and "non-household birds".

United Airlines has said requests for emotional support animals have risen by 75pc in a year, and has tightened its onboard companion policy.

The airline explained that last year that had been 76,000 requests from passengers wanting to travel with emotional support pets, up by more than 30,000 compared with last year.

The new rules, which come into effect next month, will not affect animals such as guide dogs, but mental health pets will require 48 hours notice and a signed letter from a doctor.

Passengers will also have to show their animal is "trained to behave properly in a public setting".