Stowaway Chihuahua Found In Check-In Luggage

A cheeky Chihuahua was found in a woman's checked-in luggage at a New York City airport.

The seven-year-old pet stowed away in the bag while its owner was packing, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

A TSA employee at LaGuardia Airport in Queens made the discovery after an alarm went off during the screening process on 3 March.

On opening the suspicious suitcase, the officer was shocked to see a small dog nestling inside with other belongings.

The agency contacted the airline to identify the owner, who had apparently not intended to bring the animal on the trip.

The two were happily reunited, and the woman contacted her husband to take the mischievous pet home.

It is unclear whether the dog's owner made her American Airlines flight to Los Angeles.

The TSA said on its Instagram feed: "#TSATravelTips - Ay, #Chihuahua! It’s always important to double check your bags before traveling".