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Delta Airlines acknowledges turkey brought on flight as therapy pet

Click to play video: 'A turkey was brought on a flight as a therapy pet'
A turkey was brought on a flight as a therapy pet
WATCH ABOVE: Have you ever seen a turkey on a plane? – Jan 15, 2016

Delta Airlines has turned rumour into fact by acknowledging that online images of a turkey flying coach recently are legitimate. The turkey was classified as a passenger’s therapy pet.

Two images of the fowl flyer were posted Monday on Reddit by user “biggestlittlepickle.” However, point of origin and destination have not been released.

The original poster claimed their neighbour is a flight attendant who took a photo of the turkey, an apparent therapy pet, sitting on the plane. Another user named “unclelimpy” followed up by adding an image of the bird in a wheelchair inside the airport – claiming they knew the pilot.

Small world apparently – a second Reddit user followed with another image, allegedly of the same turkey before boarding. Imgur

Delta acknowledged the feathered passenger in a statement to USA Today:

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“Delta complies with the Air Carrier Access Act by allowing customers traveling with emotional support animals or psychiatric service animals to travel without charge in the cabin,” the statement read.

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“While we can’t always accommodate all pets, Delta employees made a judgment call based in part on extensive documentation from the customer. We review each case and make every effort to accommodate our customers’ travel needs while also taking into consideration the health and safety of other passengers.”

Delta guidelines state that a passenger must present documentation from a mental health professional in order to bring an animal along as a therapy pet.

The irony in all this – turkeys prefer to stay grounded as they mature.

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