A 70-year-old Egyptian man named Hamed Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie recently arrived at Washington D.C. airport in the United States. Upon entry, he was found carrying prohibited items, including beef, in his luggage. The 11-kilogram detection dog named Freddie detected the contraband, but the man reacted with anger and kicked the dog, causing serious injury. The incident and its aftermath have since come to light.
Incident Details
According to a report by FOX NEWS, the incident occurred at 6:30 a.m. on June 24. Marie had hidden 45 kilograms of prohibited agricultural products in his suitcase, including raw meat, rice, and seeds, in an attempt to enter the U.S. However, during security inspection, Freddie the detection dog sensed something suspicious. In a fit of shame and anger, Marie kicked Freddie.
Surveillance footage shows Freddie unable to dodge the kick, being sent airborne with his ears perked up, flipping once in the air before crashing heavily to the ground. The dog suffered serious injuries.
Rescue and Recovery
Airport staff immediately rushed Freddie to a veterinary hospital for emergency treatment. Fortunately, the dog sustained bruising to the ribs on his right side and chest swelling but was still able to wag his tail at his handler. Freddie is currently out of life-threatening danger but will need several weeks off to recover.
Legal Consequences
Marie admitted in court to smuggling fresh meat and agricultural products and to assaulting a law enforcement animal. He was ultimately ordered to pay $840 USD (approximately 24,000 New Taiwan Dollars) in medical expenses and was deported back to Egypt the following day.
Response from Authorities
The news of Marie kicking the detection dog sparked widespread discussion. Christine Waugh, a supervisor at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), expressed her sorrow, stating, "Customs and Border Protection relies heavily on our canine partners. Freddie was simply doing his job." She added, "These dogs are not tools; they are our partners. We will never tolerate any form of violence against them while on duty."
The Importance of Detection Dogs
Detection dogs at airports are predominantly Beagles, a breed originally developed as hunting dogs. Their keen sense of smell and love of food make them ideal for detecting hidden plant and animal detection items in luggage. These specially trained dogs play a crucial role in protecting countries from invasive pests and diseases.
The economic impact of invasive pests, plant diseases, and weeds forces countries, including the United States, to spend millions to billions of dollars on eradication efforts. This makes the role of detection dogs like Freddie especially vital in safeguarding agriculture and ecosystems.
