A Southwest Airlines passenger was forcefully removed from a plane after she complained loudly about 2 therapy dogs on board the plane.
The incident took place Tuesday evening on Southwest Airlines flight 1525 from Baltimore-Washington to Los Angeles.
The passenger, who was later identified as Islamic Studies professor Anila Daulatzai, complained that she had “severe allergies” to dogs.
Muslims consider dogs to be impure and unclean.
Daulatzai demanded that the flight attendants remove the therapy dogs immediately.
After the airline offered Daulatzai several options, including producing a medical certificate (which she didn’t have), she refused to leave the plane.
“Our policy states that a Customer (without a medical certificate) may be denied boarding if they report a life-threatening allergic reaction and cannot travel safely with an animal onboard,” a Southwest spokesperson said.
“Our Flight Crew made repeated attempts to explain the situation to the Customer, however, she refused to deplane and law enforcement became involved,” the airline said.
Another passenger filmed 2 beefy Baltimore police officers forcefully dragging Daulatzai off the plane.
Daulatzai was arrested and later released on bond.
She faces multiple charges including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, failure to obey a lawful order, disturbing the peace, and obstructing and hindering a police officer.
Southwest Airlines later issued a public apology to Daulatzai.
“We are disheartened by the way this situation unfolded and the Customer’s removal by local law enforcement officers. We publicly offer our apologies to this Customer for her experience and we will be contacting her directly to address her concerns.”
