A coyote ran through baggage claim at the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina airport. It was ultimately caught at the airport’s security checkpoint.

“It did not get through the security checkpoint, so the TSA is doing a fantastic job of stopping anybody without ID or boarding passes,” he said.

You might think this was the first time that the TSA actually caught a terrorist, but no dice — after airport staff chased the coyote unsuccessfully, it was eventually caught by animal control officers called to the scene.

During the standoff, the airport’s security checkpoint was closed — but animal control acted quickly enough that no passengers missed flights, and the next flight — the 6 times weekly Myrtle Beach – Philadelphia American Eagle flight that will soon be downgraded to once-weekly — was not delayed.

While the Associated Press indicated that officers planned to release the coyote back into the wild, the Myrtle Beach Sun News says that’s not what happened.

The coyote has since been put down.

Coyotes are considered to be a nuisance in the area and policy calls for the wild animals, once captured, to be euthanized, according to Capt. Robert McCullough of the Department of Natural Resources.

Bedeep bedeep bedeep, that’s all folks!

(HT: Heels First Travel)