DENVER — A University of Colorado student is missing her pet fish after she claims Southwest Airlines forced her to abandon it at the airport.<br /><br />According to KGTV, Lanice Powless was about to board her Denver to San Diego flight when a Southwest airline employee told her she couldn't take her pink male beta fish Cassie onboard.<br /><br />Powless had gotten her fishy friend during freshman year to curb her loneliness, and ended up falling in love with him.<br /><br />According to TSA guidelines, live fish are allowed as a carry-on, but Southwest policy only allows small dogs and cats in the cabin.<br /><br />Powless asked if she could leave her pet on the counter for a friend to pick up in 30 minutes, but the airline refused.<br /><br />She frantically looked around for someone else, and ended up handing him to a traveler on a more fish-friendly airline. But airport staff separated the two of them before she could get the stranger's name.<br /><br />Powless claims security kept following her afterward, and made her feel like a criminal. She got on her plane and made it home for winter break, but is still desperately searching for her little beta.<br /><br />She's aware everyone's laughing at her for her fishy dilemma, but says her pet fish is just as important as any dog or cat.<br /><br />Southwest confirmed the incident to USA Today, claiming they offered to rebook Powless so she can make plans for her fish, but that option was refused.
