Get All Access for $5/mo

'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 Entrepreneur 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.

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.

Sam Silverman

Content Strategy Editor

Sam Silverman is a content strategy editor at Entrepreneur Media. She specializes in search engine optimization (SEO), and her work can be found in The US Sun, Nicki Swift, In Touch Weekly, Life & Style and Health. She writes for our news team with a focus on investigating scandals. Her coverage and expertise span from business news, entrepreneurship, technology, and true crime, to the latest in entertainment and TV news. Sam is a graduate of Lehigh University and currently resides in NYC. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Franchise

Expanding Your Franchise Overseas Can Make You Millions — Or Tank Your Profits If You Don't Consider These Risks.

Deciding to expand your franchise concept internationally is a challenging one. Doing so can provide growth opportunities far beyond those in your current home market. But doing so before you're ready can create undue stress on your system. International expansion requires a full investment of time and resources to do it right; it is a serious commitment that reburies hard work, supported by a well-thought-out and well-executed game plan.

Business News

If Your Bank Is Calling, Don't Answer. It's Probably a Scam.

Scammers are getting sophisticated, from AI voices and videos to spoofing caller IDs. Here's how to spot them.

Starting a Business

From Side Gig to 6-Figure Success — How I Built a Thriving Home-Based Business as a Busy Family Man

I've made over $17,000,000 for clients worldwide and brought in multiple six figures for myself, all while barely leaving my kitchen.

Growing a Business

How to Choose The Right Insurance Broker to Grow Your Lower to Mid-Market Company in 2025 and Beyond

Private, client-focused insurance firms matter more than ever in 2025 — here's why.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.