Dexter was banned from the flight (Picture: Dexter The Peacock)

A woman was banned from taking her emotional support peacock on a flight.

Dexter the peacock is a therapy bird who helps his New York-based photographer and performance artist owner Ventiko cope with stress and anxiety.

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She bought a ticket for Dexter so he could enjoy his own seat, but United Airlines turned the feathered passenger away from the cross-country flight due to health and safety concerns.

So instead of joining Ventiko on Sunday’s flight from New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport to Los Angeles, Dexter made the trip with the help of ‘human friends’ instead.


United Airlines said Dexter couldn’t board the flight due to ‘health and safety’ concerns (Picture: Dexter The Peacock)

A spokeswoman for Chicago-based United says the peacock didn’t meet guidelines for a number of reasons, including its size and weight.



Spokeswoman Andrea Hiller says a representative from the airline had explained that the emotional support peacock would not be able to travel on the flight at least three times ‘before they arrived at the airport’.

As well as providing support to his owner, Dexter has starred in a number of photoshoots

Including this one, featuring a pomegranate

Dexter also enjoys walks in the city

And having his nails painted, naturally