The Transport Security Administration had a surprise last week when a dog was found in a carry-on bag at a Wisconsin airport.
The TSA tweeted that “A dog was accidentally sent through the X-ray” in Dane County Regional Airport, in Madison – the state’s capital city – through its Great Lakes Twitter account.
“When traveling with any animal, notify your airline & know their rules”, they continued. “At the checkpoint, remove your pet and send all items, including the empty carrier, to be screened in the machine.”
Not Just Dogs
Just last month, staff at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport found a cat in a suitcase that was heading to Orlando. The feline, Smells, was rewarded with a delicious-looking Thanksgiving meal, and luckily wasn’t harmed after he sneaked into the suitcase.
On Twitter, a number of social media users reacted in anger at the dog going through the X-ray. “I just want to know if the dog is okay. I find it disturbing that the condition of the dog was not mentioned” said one. Another questioned, “I’m curious what breed of dog it was? The owner wasn’t curious when their bag weighed too much or when they were leaving the house and the dog wasn’t at the door wanting to go with him?”
No Harm Done, Says TSA
TSA spokesperson Jessica Mayle told USA TODAY that the dog, a Dachshund–Chihuahua mix, wasn’t harmed, just skittish, and explained that the traveler in question wasn’t aware of the correct protocol. However, pets shouldn’t go through the X-ray.
“After (the dog) was discovered by the X-ray operator, the officer explained the proper process to the passenger and confirmed she had disclosed she was traveling with the pet to the airline,” she explained. “After her bags were cleared, she proceeded to her gate.”
Dogs and cats can be screened in another room in private. Alternatively, they can walk through the metal detector on a leash with their traveler. However, the empty pet carrier will still need to go through the X-ray.
