A small dog was found in a traveler’s backpack when going through an X-ray machine at the Dane County Airport on Tuesday.
The traveler, unaware of the screening protocol, had not disclosed to the Transportation and Security agents at the Wisconsin airport that she was traveling with her small dog, reported WISN 12 News. After the pet was discovered, an officer informed the passenger of appropriate travel procedures, and she proceeded to her gate, according to the news outlet.
The woman, whose identity was not disclosed, reportedly informed the airline she would be traveling with a pet. (RELATED: Woman Delays Flight For 2 Hours, Gets Kicked Off Plane For Traveling With ‘Emotional Support’ Squirrel)
A dog was accidentally sent through the X-ray @MSN_Airport this week. When traveling with any animal, notify your airline & know their rules. At the checkpoint, remove your pet from the bag and send all items, including the empty carrier, to be screened in the machine. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/JLOStCDsir
— TSA_GreatLakes (@TSA_GreatLakes) December 6, 2022
A similar incident occurred in November, when a cat was discovered in a checked bag at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The passenger in this incident, however, claimed he had no idea the animal was in his bag and was forced to rebook his flight for the following day.
Jessica Mayle, spokesperson for the TSA, shared that the Dachshund Chihuahua mix appeared a little skittish but was okay once it was removed from the bag, USA Today reported.
Following the incident, TSA Great Lakes tweeted that the dog was accidentally sent through screening, along with two images: the black backpack it was sealed in, and the x-ray image of the dog inside the bag. The agency followed up with a video demonstrating how to properly travel with a pet.
A passenger is seen carrying their cat in a designated animal carrier. The traveler removes the cat from the bag and it proceeds through the x-ray machine, while the cat is carried by its owner through the metal detectors. The pet is then placed back in the carrier once the screening process is completed. (RELATED: People Outraged At United Airlines For Killing Passenger Dog Mid-Flight)
Mayle explained to USA Today the agency chose to share this story as a way to remind airline travelers the proper way to transport their pets.