A U.S. Customs and Border Protection beagle named Freddy was kicked with such force that he was lifted off the ground during a baggage inspection at Washington Dulles International Airport earlier this week. The incident occurred when the dog alerted officers to over 100 pounds of banned food items belonging to a traveler from Egypt. The 5-year-old beagle, assigned to CBP’s agriculture detection team, suffered bruising to his right rib area but is expected to make a full recovery, according to a statement from CBP.
The traveler, 70-year-old Hamed Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie, pleaded guilty in federal court to harming a law enforcement animal. He was sentenced to pay the veterinary bill for Freddy’s treatment and ordered to report to CBP for deportation to Egypt, which he completed on Thursday. CBP officials emphasized that the dog was simply performing his duties, as the food items were prohibited agricultural products that pose risks to U.S. agriculture.
The incident highlights the critical role that detection canines play in safeguarding the nation’s agricultural interests. According to CBP, on a typical day last year, its teams intercepted more than 3,500 prohibited plant and animal products at U.S. ports of entry. The dog’s actions during the inspection not only exposed the smuggled goods but also underscored the importance of these working animals in enforcing agricultural import regulations. The man, who was arrested after the incident, was detained by officers and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for prosecution.
CBP’s Area Port Director for the Washington, D.C. area, Christine Waugh, stated that ‘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.’ The dog’s injuries were assessed by a veterinarian, who confirmed the animal would recover fully. In the aftermath, the beagle, known as Freddy, was given his favorite comfort treat, a Pup Cup, as part of the rehabilitation process.
The case also raises questions about the enforcement of laws protecting law enforcement animals. Marie’s plea deal involved a guilty plea to violating a law that prohibits harming animals used in law enforcement. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted the case, underscoring the significance of the incident in the criminal justice system. While the case does not have direct financial implications, it underscores the broader enforcement of border security and the protection of agricultural interests, which are critical economic sectors for the United States. The incident has also sparked public discussion about the treatment of service animals and the legal consequences of interfering with their duties.