An Egyptian man has been deported back to his home country after he violently kicked a beagle working for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), authorities said on Thursday.
Hamed Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie, 70, is now back in Egypt after he pleaded guilty to federal charges.
The 5-year-old beagle, named Freddie, and his handler were inspecting baggage from travelers who arrived from Cairo, Egypt, at the Washington Dulles International Airport on Tuesday.
That’s when Freddie alerted his CBP handler to Marie’s baggage.
CBP agriculture specialists later discovered more than 100 pounds of prohibited food products in Marie’s luggage. This includes 55 pounds of beef, 44 pounds of rice, 15 pounds of eggplant, cucumbers, and bell peppers, two pounds of corn seeds, and a pound of herbs.
Marie pled guilty to harming animals used in law enforcement during his initial court appearance in Virginia.
He was credited with time served and was immediately handed over to CBP for removal from the United States.
His flight to Egypt left on Thursday afternoon.
The Egyptian national was also ordered to pay the veterinarian’s fee to cover Freddie’s medical costs.
Freddie is a part of CBP’s Beagles Brigade.
The beagles play a vital role in screening passengers and cargo to prevent the introduction of harmful plant pests and foreign animal diseases from entering the United States.
A trained CBP agriculture dog can scan a piece of luggage for smuggled or forgotten fruits in mere seconds, while it takes an officer much longer. The CBP noted that beagles and beagle mixes are the preferred dog breed to work at airports due to their keen sense of smell, non-threatening size, high food drive, and “gentle disposition with the public.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) first established its “Beagle Brigade” program at the Los Angeles International Airport in 1984. Years later, the agency started using bigger dogs such as Labrador retrievers for inspection at the Mexico and Canada borders in a program called the “Border Brigade.”
All the canines who work for the federal programs have been rescued from animal shelters or brought to the program from private donations. The dogs receive extensive training at the USDA National Detector Dog Training Center (NDDTC) near Atlanta, Georgia, before officially starting their specialized work.
A veterinarian who examined Freddie has determined he suffered bruises to his rib area.
“Thanks to everyone for their concern about Freddy who was injured while performing his duties at Dulles airport. He was treated by his veterinarian, and is expected to make a full recovery. Here he is enjoying his favorite comfort treat – a Pup Cup!” the agency wrote.
