Travelers Caught Hiding Animals in Unusual Body Locations; Turtles Discovered in Woman's Bra Band by TSA Officers
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a warning to travellers, asking them to stop hiding pets in unusual places during airport security screenings. This move comes in response to several incidents where passengers have attempted to evade detection by concealing pets in unconventional ways, such as a woman who was caught at Miami International Airport with two pet turtles stuffed in her bra.
The TSA's primary concern is ensuring the safety of both passengers and animals. The agency emphasizes that animals should never be put through X-ray machines and must be taken out of their carriers during screening. This is to protect the pets from harm and help maintain control and safety at checkpoints.
Attempts to evade these protocols can lead to dangerous situations for the animals involved. They can result in manual inspections, which slow down security lanes, and increase stress for the animals. In a recent high-profile case, a traveler at Miami International Airport tried to smuggle turtles hidden in her brassiere. Although the attempt was caught by security, tragically one turtle did not survive.
The TSA's statement emphasized the importance of following pet travel rules. The agency does not encourage travelling with pets but understands that some people may have pets they wish to take with them. In such cases, the TSA advises contacting the airline for rules regarding pet travel.
The TSA's warning aims to ensure passenger and staff safety by preventing pets from going through unsafe or unauthorized screening processes. It also aims to avoid delays and disruptions in security checkpoints caused by manual inspections triggered by concealed pets. Lastly, it aims to protect the well-being of animals by requiring adherence to established screening procedures.
The surviving turtle from the Miami incident was handed over to the Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife. The TSA did not take a stance on stopping people from travelling with their pets but stressed that safety and welfare of both passengers and animals should be prioritized.
[1] TSA Statement on Hiding Pets in Unusual Places at Airport Security [2] Miami International Airport Incident Involving Hidden Turtles [3] Getty Image Credit: Florida Woman with Pet Turtles [4] TSA's Private Screening Options for Pet Owners Concerned about Escape during Screening [5] Airline Rules Regarding Pet Travel
- Despite some travelers' attempts to sneak their pets through airport security screenings in unconventional ways, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) encourages those who wish to travel with their pets to prioritize the animals' safety and well-being, adhering to the established pet travel rules.
- The TSA's warning against concealing pets during security screenings is not a prohibition on traveling with pets but rather an effort to protect the pets' welfare and ensure the safety of all passengers, employees, and the animals themselves by preventing dangerous situations, delays, and disruptions at security checkpoints.
