An Escaped Poodle Took to the Runway and Disrupted 14 Flights at a Tokyo Airport

While most frequent fliers are used to the occasional delay because of weather or a maintenance issue, the reason for 14 flight disruptions at an airport in Japan on Monday would baffle even the most seasoned traveler.

The runway at Tokyo’s busy Haneda Airport had to be temporarily shut down thanks to the playful antics of a large poodle.

After being checked as cargo by a passenger on a Japan Airlines flight, the pup managed to escape from its cage while being loaded onto the plane by crew members.

Related: 6 Places to See the Cherry Blossoms in Japan Without the Crowds

Taking advantage of its newfound freedom, the poodle dashed away from the plane and the crew, forcing officials to close one of the airport’s four runways for six minutes. The resulting ruckus caused delays on 14 flights at one of Tokyo's busiest travel hubs.

It wasn’t until about 40 minutes later that the dog’s owner was able to catch her pet and end the commotion.

While it’s safe to say the passengers on the delayed flights were less than pleased with the dog’s antics, The Straits Times reports that the poodle appeared to be enjoying itself, running free and sniffing the grassy areas of the runway.