Passing through security at a large continental European airport this week, the lady in-front of me was carrying a small dog with lead attached.
She placed her handbag and coat in an x-ray tray, uncoupled the lead from the dog (the lead was then added to the tray), then passed the dog to a security officer beyond but around the detector arch. The security officer duly made a fuss of the dog, it's owner passed though the detector and the dog was returned to her.
I watched closely and with interest - the dog was not checked. Surely this can't be right?