Islamabad, Jan 11 (IANS) A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane due to land at Gilgit airport in Pakistan-administered Kashmir was told to abort the landing as there was a dog running across the runway, a media report said.

As the pilot pulled up the aircraft, the airport staff went vigorously after the stray dog Monday, Dawn News reported.

Civil aviation sources said the air traffic control at the airport calmed down the pilot by informing him that the runway was being cleared of the “hazard”.

A “bird shooter” employed to keep the airport clear of birds was also called in but he missed the sprinting dog who eventually left the airport on its own.

After the dog’s departure, the plane was allowed to land.

“Often stray dogs have crossed over and roamed on the runway but after construction of a wall along the runway, such incidents have become very rare,” an airport official said.

A few years back, a cow was spotted on the runway at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad despite a ban on grazing cattle near the runway.