Passengers waiting to leave LaGuardia Airport reportedly faced an unusual choice after a dog relieved itself aboard their aircraft. The options were simple but hardly pleasant: wait for the cabin to be cleaned or depart on time while enduring the smell of dog urine, as reported by The New York Post.

A pilot reportedly presented the decision to travelers after the previous flight, turning a routine departure into an impromptu exercise in airport democracy. Television host Jennifer Coffey shared an account of the episode on social media Monday.

“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 wrote.

According to Coffey, the pilot asked the waiting passengers to indicate whether they were willing to accept the odor in exchange for getting home on schedule. It was not exactly the most glamorous ballot ever cast, but the choice apparently drew plenty of participation.

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“So he asked for a show of hands: how many passengers just wanted to deal with the smell to get home on time,” Coffey wrote, adding, “Democracy!”

 

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The reported vote took place at LaGuardia Airport, according to View From The Wing. Coffey clarified that she was not personally aboard the flight connected to the incident.

Her video showed travelers at a Delta Air Lines gate raising their hands as part of the apparent vote. The result remained unclear, leaving viewers without an answer about whether the aircraft received a cleaning or departed with its passengers bracing for the smell.

That uncertainty did not stop the footage from taking off online. The video amassed more than 10 million views and ignited an intense argument over pets, passengers, cleanliness and just how much discomfort travelers should tolerate to avoid another airport delay.

Some commenters appeared ready to handle the problem themselves rather than wait. “You know there’s at least one mom who’s like ‘just give me a dang glove and a can of Clorox wipes and we’ll be on our way!,’” one Instagram user wrote.

Others sided decisively with the dog. “Would rather sit in a plane full of dogs than a plane full of people,” another commenter quipped, neatly capturing one side of a debate that quickly expanded beyond the original incident.

One commenter argued that dog urine “doesn’t smell as bad as a baby’s diaper, which some parents change on the seat rather than the toilet mid-flight.” The remark redirected the discussion toward the unpleasant behavior travelers may encounter from people aboard commercial aircraft.

Another commenter, who described themselves as a “nurse and full-time traveler,” was equally blunt. “Give me a plane full of dogs ANY DAY because people smell worse and are so much more GROSS.”

That commenter also listed other bodily messes encountered aboard planes. “Dogs sometimes can’t wait even with best of plans. I’ve encountered human urine, feces, vomit, boogers, and blood on planes. Give me the dog that has the decency to keep it in the floor!,” the person added.

Not everyone was eager to defend animals in aircraft cabins. Several commenters argued that pets should remain at home, even though some airlines allow animals to travel onboard under specified conditions.

“As a proud pet parent … leave your pets at home!!!! Legitimate service animals ONLY!!!! AND QUIT LYING THAT YOUR PET IS A SERVICE ANIMAL!!!!,” one person wrote. Another commenter offered a shorter verdict: “Love my dog, but they belong in the bottom of the plane.”

Delta allows furry companions that satisfy certain size requirements to travel onboard in ventilated carriers designed not to leak, according to the airline’s website. Those carriers must fit beneath the seat in front of the passenger.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates LaGuardia, directed inquiries about the incident to Delta. The airline did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment, leaving the cleanup decision and final vote tally unresolved.