Blacktip Island handyman Dermott Bottoms, dressed in a homemade service dog costume, was arrested Thursday after trying to board a Tiperon Airways inter-island flight without paying. (photo courtesy of maskedbob)
Police detained a Blacktip Island man Thursday for attempting to board a Tiperon Airways flight dressed in a cartoon dog costume in order to avoid paying airfare to Tiperon, island officials said.
“Dermott Bottoms showed up in a Scooby Doo costume and a red ‘service dog’ vest, and tried to board the inter-island shuttle,” Tiperon Airways pilot Reg Gurnard said. “He was on all fours, climbing the steps to the cabin when we grabbed him. He put up a fuss, growing and barking and refusing to come down. That’s when we called the constable.”
Island police were quick to respond.
“I was at the airfield anyway, and they asked me to step in,” Island Police Constable Rafe Marquette said. “At first, my aim was to detain Dermott, for the safety of him and others—not a crime to wear a dog costume and try to sneak on a flight. But then, as I reached out to pry his arms from around the railing, he nipped my hand. That’s assaulting an officer.
“I got his front legs handcuffed, and hauled him off to the jail cell,” Marquette said. “Left him there with a bowl of water and some kibble, and I’ll let him out as soon as he’s sober and stops howling. And if he poops in that cell again, I’m whacking him across the nose with a rolled-up newspaper.”
Animal rights groups decried the arrest.
“This is straight-up animal abuse,” Blacktip Island People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals president Harry Pickett said. “No, Dermott’s not technically a canine, but he’s self-identifying as one, so we need to respect that and treat him like a dog. We’re barking mad about this, and all three BIPETA members will take turns protesting outside the jail until he’s released. No one, or animal, deserves to be treated like this.”
Tiperon Airways says the incident has forced them to rethink their service animal policy.
“This isn’t the first time something like this has happened,” Gurnard said. “Just last month Goldie Goby tried to get little Dashie Goby onboard for free dressed as Felix the Cat, claiming Dashie was a service animal. We’re putting our foot down and banning all service animals. If you need an animal to help you on and off our planes, you’ll have to take a boat from now on.”
Bottoms could not be reached for comment, though witnesses reported hearing prolonged yowling from the jail cell.
The Blacktip Times 