ByJessica Elgot, Jessica Elgot
An Israeli woman has paid El Al $32,000 to reserve the whole of a business class section from Paris to Tel Aviv for herself and her “baby”.
But her baby is boxer dog “Or”, whom she refused to leave alone in the hold, in case he became anxious or scared during the flight.
The 60-year-old woman, named only as “Rivkah,” said she wanted to make sure that she would be able to calm him down.
The airline reportedly removed seats in business class to make room for Or’s cage, and Rivkah also hired a vet to accompany them on the flight.
Rivkah said: “I didn’t think for a minute to leave Or, my little Orchuk, with the cargo.
He is my child, not a dog. And he deserves the best Rivkah
“All that mattered to me was to have my baby with me during the flight so that I can take care of him.”
“He is my child, not a dog. And he deserves the best,” she added.
Chris Lewis, a spokesperson for El Al in the UK, said: “This is the first time this particular scenario has ever happened, but if you do know any more rich people who can’t bear to be parted from their pets, then do point them in our direction.”