A 70-year-old Egyptian tourist, Hamed Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie, got more than he bargained for when he kicked an airport security dog into the air at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia.
Marie had just landed from Cairo and was waiting for his baggage to arrive when the sniffer dog, Freddie, alerted to one of his bags.
The dog detected over 100 pounds of prohibited food inside Marie’s luggage, including 55 pounds of beef meat, 44 pounds of rice, and other items.
The Shocking Incident
As Marie was being questioned by Freddie’s handler, he suddenly kicked the dog so hard that it flew into the air. Footage shows Freddie on his hind legs, and another shot shows him mid-air.
The poor dog was taken to the vet and found to have suffered contusions on his right forward rib area. Marie pleaded guilty to harming the dog and was ordered to pay the vet fees before being swiftly deported from the US.
Customs and Border Protection Responds
Christine Waugh, CBP’s Area Port Director for the Area Port of Washington, D.C., condemned Marie’s actions, saying, “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.”
Waugh added that the CBP relies heavily on their K9 partners and that any malicious attack on one of them is an attack on all of them.
The CBP will continue to work with their investigating and prosecuting partners to deal swift and severe justice to perpetrators.
The Importance of Airport Security Dogs
The CBP emphasized that their 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 US.
Animal and plant diseases and invasive pests and weeds have cost nations millions to billions of dollars in eradication measures and lost revenues.
Marie’s actions were a stark reminder of the importance of respecting airport security dogs and the crucial role they play in keeping our airports and communities safe.