Via iStockphoto / @jencoffey/TikTok
A pilot announced that a flight could be delayed because a dog urinated on the plane
A delayed plane and a ruined carpet have led many Americans to announce that they have “dog fatigue.” But why?
Pets were once relegated to houses, cars, and outdoor leash hitches. In recent years, however, it’s become more common to see people walking their dogs through a grocery store or sitting next to them at a restaurant.
In many cases, these animals are a necessity. For example, many visually impaired people use seeing-eye dogs to navigate. Trained animals can also warn owners of oncoming seizures or detect allergens in food.
That said, there are some people who just really want to bring their pets into Walmart. In 2024, 15% of dog owners reported taking their pet on everyday errands—up from 10% in 2008.
At the same time, gripes about these pets in public places are going up. In 2026, the New York Post reported that complaints to 311 about pets in establishments with food have doubled over the past two years. Michigan’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development similarly claims that it has “recently seen an uptick in the number of complaints of customers bringing pets into food establishments such as grocery stores.”
Recently, a video went viral showing a pilot asking passengers whether they want their flight delayed. The reason for this question has the internet furious.
What Went Wrong On This Flight?
In a video with over 1.3 million views, TikTok user Jen Coffey (@jencoffey) films an airport gate. Many people raise their hands.
“Not my flight but a pilot just came out and announced that a dog had relieved himself on the plane during the last flight and he could either order a cleaning or depart on time with the cabin smelling like dog urine,” Coffey writes in the video’s caption.
“So he asked for a show of hands how many passengers just wanted to deal with the smell to get home on time,” she continues. “Democracy!”
Coffey did not reveal the final results of the vote.
How Can This Happen?
Generally speaking, animals are only allowed onto planes under specific circumstances.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, airlines may require pet owners to pay an additional fee to bring their pet aboard. Additionally, the pet may need to fit in an airline-approved container and may be required to meet certain age and size requirements.
These restrictions do not necessarily apply to service animals—though it should be noted that the category of “service animals” does not include “therapy animals” or “emotional support animals.”
There is no independent certification to attest to the airline that an animal truly is a service animal. Instead, airlines tend to make owners sign a “DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form.” This is a form upon which passengers attest to the dog’s health, training, and general behavior.
This form includes information about the dog’s rabies vaccination and trainer. It also contains the specific attestation that the dog “does not urinate or defecate on the aircraft or in the gate area.”
There’s More To The Story
While the amount of actual fraud in this area is hard to measure, those in the industry have their suspicions. A 2019 survey from Assistance Dogs International found that over 90% of service dog teams have encountered what they suspect to be a “fake, questionable or uncontrolled service or emotional support dog.”
Urinating or defecating on a flight may be a warning sign that a service animal might not be properly trained. IATA guidance notes that its training standards for service animals “include the ability to toilet on command in proper places, so dogs do not have ‘accidents’ when travelling.”
Still, a single incident is not enough to accuse someone of having a fake service animal. Accidents happen, and even the most well-trained animal can face stress or sickness and relieve itself where it’s not supposed to.
Not only that, but accusations of “fake” service animals can do significantly more harm than good. A 2025 survey from Paws for Access found that over 65% of respondents had faced doubts about whether their assistance dogs were legitimate. Consequently, around 40% of respondents claimed they considered avoiding public spaces altogether.
In short, if you see a dog have an accident on a flight, it’s not your job to handle it. Instead, you should let the airline get to work—and, if you’re in a situation like the one shown in the video, participate in the vote about whether you want to clean up the accident or ignore it and keep flying.
Viewers Have Thoughts
In the comments section, users offered their views on dogs in public spaces.
“And this is why we have DOG FATIGUE. Jeez!!!” a user exclaimed.
“I once had an international flight with a dog that [expletive] itself in front of me,” recalled another.
That said, others said they wouldn’t have had an issue with a little dog urine.
“Omg. Just get a mop, some soap and water. Will take like 5 mins,” said a commenter.
“I’ve sat next to people on planes that smelled worse than dog piss,” claimed a second.
BroBible reached out to Coffey via email and Instagram direct message.