Security shocked as dog found in bag by airport X-ray

Airport security authorities were left stunned after they discovered something strange crammed inside a passenger’s checked luggage.

US security authorities were shocked to find a passenger sent their dog through an airport X-ray screening machine in a backpack.

Security personnel were flabbergasted to find the pet crammed inside the bag as it went through the X-ray machine.

The act has outraged animal lovers online, the New York Post reports.

“A dog was accidentally sent through the X-ray,” TSA (Transportation Security Administration) Great Lakes tweeted of the incident, which occurred this week at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison. Accompanying photos show an X-ray outline of an unidentified small brown pup curled up in the backpack.

Want to stream your news? Flash lets you stream 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer available for a limited time only >

The dog was inside this black backpack that was put through security screening. Picture: TSA Great Lakes

The owner of the dog had reportedly neglected to inform the screeners of her pet before putting the bag on the conveyor belt, reported ABC affiliate WISN in Milwaukee.

However, the tweet didn’t specify if she was trying to intentionally smuggle the pup or had simply forgotten about the animal in her luggage.

Either way, the incident didn’t sit well with Twitter users, who accused the owner of animal cruelty.

“Come on … poor dog,” one person said, while another wrote: “That dog owner needs to be put in jail for treating her fur baby so cruel!”

The dog as seen on the X-ray. Picture: TSA Great Lakes

One commenter suggested the TSA should “put the owner through” the X-ray machine as punishment.

Another accused the owner of trying to avoid the carry-on pet fee which is around $US125 ($A185).

“That is inhumane to carry a pet in a sealed backpack, which of course is not airline approved for carrying a pet,” they said. “Most likely they were trying to get past not having to pay the carry-on pet fee. Sick.”

Meanwhile, others were upset that the TSA hadn’t given an update on the status of the pet.

In light of the incident, the TSA reminded those travelling with animals to “notify your airline and 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,” the travel authorities wrote.

They then posted a Twitter video instructing pet owners on how to properly travel with their animal.

The TSA also advised flyers who believe their pet may attempt to escape to “ask to speak with a supervisor before removing the animal”.

In November, TSA agents discovered an orange tabby cat in a checked bag at JFK in New York. In that incident, the bag owner was unaware of his feline stowaway, which had secretly climbed into the suitcase.

This story originally appeared on the New York Post and is republished here with permission