Lanice Powless, a University of Colorado student, was flying to California from Denver International Airport when she said a Southwest Airline employee informed her that she would not be allowed to bring her pink beta fish, Cassie, onboard with her. ( iStock) A California woman is claiming a Southwest Airlines agent forced her to leave her pet fish at the airport last Wednesday.
Lanice Powless, a University of Colorado student, was flying to California from Denver International Airport when she said a Southwest Airline employee informed her that she would not be allowed to bring her pink beta fish, Cassie, onboard with her.
“I’ve taken him everywhere with me, ” Powless said to 10News.
Powless had gotten the fish her freshman year of college to combat loneliness she was feeling being away at school. The two formed a fast friendship, Powless said to 10 News.
“I put my thumb in there, he come up and nibble my thumb. He was a cool fish, ” she said. “I even get him a heater, because it gets so cold in Colorado.”
Powless said she had bring Cassie onto flights before and was not hassled about it.
“I have traveled with it. I had it in my receptacle too.”
According to the TSA website, live fish are allowed on board as carry on bags.
“Live fish in water and a clear transparent container are allowed after inspection by the TSA officer, ” the website reads.
DELTA AIR LINES BANS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS ON FLIGHTS LONGER THAN 8 Hours
However, Southwest Airlines’ policy permits only small cats and dogs that fit under the seat to fly.
Desperate, Powless said she asked a gate agent if she could leave her fish at the counter so a friend could come pick him up in a half an hour. However, the agent allegedly denied her, leaving Powless to start asking random passengers on other airlines if they wanted to care for the beta.
Luckily, Powless claims she managed to find someone traveling on an airline that allowed fish who was willing to take Cassie, but airport staff were dubious.
“They were not allowing us to converse at all because they were thinking we were going to do some secret exchange throughout the airport, ” Powless said. “Even after I was no longer in possession of the fish, they still continued to have security around us, and follow us through the airport and escorted onto our aircraft, as if we brought something bad onto the airport, ” she added.
Powless noted that she is getting constructed fun of for her fishy friend, but considers it as no different than being attached to a cat or dog.
“Everyone’s laughing at me. Yes, it’s a fish. I know. But dang, it was my pet. And just because it wasn’t a cat or puppy, it wasn’t as important? ” Powless said.
Southwest Airlines did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment, but told 10 News that airport staff followed protocol in this situation. The airline representative also told the outlet that Powless was offered a later flight so she could make arrangements for her fish, but she allegedly did not take the offer.
Read more: www.foxnews.com