'This Is Animal Cruelty:' Twitter Is Outraged After a Dog Was 'Accidentally' Sent Through Airport TSA X-Ray The pup's owner was "unaware" of TSA protocols.
By Sam Silverman Edited by Jessica Thomas
Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.
One jet-setting dog took a wild ride before even hitting the runway.
A pooch traveling with its owner was "accidentally" sent through the TSA X-ray machine at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin.
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
In a photo shared by TSA Great Lakes, the dog can be seen left in its carrier while going through the machine. The Tweet warned travelers to remember to remove their animals at the security checkpoint and to notify the airline they are traveling with precious cargo.
Thankfully the dog, a dachshund-chihuahua mix, came out on the other side unharmed, TSA spokesperson Jessica Mayle told USA Today, but the hound was "a little skittish" after the incident.
According to Mayle, the traveler was "unaware" of TSA protocols and failed to inform officers of her tucked-away dog.
"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," Mayle told the outlet. "After her bags were cleared, she proceeded to her gate."
However, several Twitter users slammed the dog owner and accused them of smuggling the pup to avoid paying additional airline fees.
The animal should be taken from his owner. This is clearly not an accident! The animal could be having troubles breathing in that backpack. This is animal cruelty and the owner should be out in jail…
— Valeria Guedes (@ValeGuedes) December 7, 2022
What don't people understand about traveling with pets. If they can't pay the pet fare then don't fly..simple.
— Sunny in miami (@Sunnyinmiami1) December 7, 2022
That is inhumane to carry a pet in a sealed backpack, which of course is not airline approved for carrying a pet. Most likely they were trying to get past not having to pay the carry-on pet fee. Sick.
— Daisy Adams (@DaisyDoxie) December 7, 2022
