An Egyptian tourist quickly learned his fate after kicking a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) beagle so hard it flew into the air at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia.
The Incident at Dulles Airport
Hamed Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie, 70, attacked Freddie the Beagle on Tuesday in the baggage claim area after arriving from Cairo, BBC News reports.
Freddie, who weighs just 25 pounds, was working with CBP to detect smuggled agricultural products.
Around 6:30AM, Freddie and his handler were screening passengers when the dog alerted to a piece of luggage belonging to Marie. Authorities found more than 100 pounds of prohibited food products inside, including 55 pounds of beef, 44 pounds of rice, 15 pounds of eggplant, cucumbers, bell peppers, two pounds of corn seeds, and a pound of herbs.
As Marie was being questioned by Freddie’s handler, he suddenly kicked the dog “so hard that he was lifted off of the ground,” according to a federal criminal complaint.
Surveillance footage captured the moment, showing Freddie on his hind legs before he was seen mid-air with his ears standing up, per the Metro.
Injuries and Vet Treatment for Freddie
Freddie was immediately taken to a veterinary emergency room, where he was found to have contusions on his right forward rib area, CBP confirmed.
“Being caught deliberately smuggling well over one hundred pounds of undeclared and prohibited agriculture products does not give one permission to violently assault a defenseless Customs and Border Protection beagle,” said Christine Waugh, CBP’s Area Port Director for the Area Port of Washington, D.C.
“We rely heavily on our K9 partners and Freddie was just doing his job. Any malicious attack on one of us is an attack on all of us, and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) will continue to work with our investigating and prosecuting partners to deal swift and severe justice to perpetrators.”
The CBP added: “CBP’s Beagles Brigade plays a vital role in screening passengers and cargo to prevent the introduction of harmful plant pests and foreign animal disease from entering the U.S.”
“Animal and plant diseases and invasive pests and weeds have cost nations millions to billions of dollars in eradication measures and lost revenues.”
Guilty Plea and Swift Deportation
Marie pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of harming animals used in law enforcement. He was sentenced to time served and ordered to pay Freddie’s veterinarian bill of $840.
He was deported from the United States on Thursday afternoon, placed on a flight back to Egypt shortly after the court hearing.
Why the Prohibited Food Was a Threat
CBP stated that the prohibited food products could carry diseases harmful to native flora and fauna and could be difficult to eradicate once introduced into the country.
Despite the large amount of smuggled goods, Marie’s violent reaction was swiftly addressed, leading to his removal from the country and a warning to others about the consequences of harming working animals protecting U.S. borders.