Southwest Airlines banned student from taking fish home — but airport staff took care of the beloved pet


A college student claimed that Southwest Airlines banned her pet fish from flying with her, despite a Transportation Security Administration policy that reads, “Live fish in water and a clear transparent container are allowed after inspection by the TSA officer.”

Thankfully, the story has a happy ending, since the beloved pet of Lanice Powless was taken care of well in Denver, Colo.

According to Fox News, Denver International Airport staff discovered the fish, which Powless had to leave behind, and turned it in to lost and found. “The fish was found on concourse C at the airport last week by an airport employee and turned in to an information booth (as is common with lost and found items),” the statement provided to Fox News read.

Powless, however, did not leave the fish behind cold-heartedly. The student asked the gate agent whether she could leave her fish at the counter and have a friend pick it up in a half hour. The agent denied her request, and Powless, desperate to catch her flight and save her pet, asked strangers on other airlines if they would care for the colorful male betta fish.

According to the outlet, Powless found a person willing to tend to her fish, but that person, or someone, allegedly left the fish in the airport concourse.

The staff at the airport has since taken care of the fish and even shared an updated photo, hoping to reach Powless.

A letter from a beloved pet fish to its owner after she was forced to leave it at an airport. (Photo: Fox News)
A letter from a beloved pet fish to its owner after she was forced to leave it at an airport. (Photo: Fox News)

The airport has since confirmed that the fish has been picked up.

“Our great customer service team took care of Cassie until we could reunite him with his owner. A friend of the owner picked up the fish on Tuesday,” the statement read.

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