Egyptian man kicks customs dog airborne at Washington DC airport

June 27, 2025

A 70-year-old Egyptian national, Hamed Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie, has pleaded guilty to kicking a US Customs and Border Protection beagle named Freddie at Washington Dulles International Airport. The incident occurred after the dog detected over 100 pounds of prohibited agricultural products in Marie's luggage arriving from Cairo. Marie kicked the 25-pound dog so forcefully that Freddie became airborne, resulting in contusions to his right rib area.

Who is affected

Freddie the Beagle, a Customs and Border Protection detection dog
Hamed Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie, the 70-year-old Egyptian national
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
The broader US agricultural biosecurity system that relies on detection dogs

What action is being taken

Marie has pleaded guilty to one count of harming animals used in law enforcement
Marie was ordered to pay $840 for Freddie's veterinary bills
Marie has been deported back to Egypt after serving his sentence
CBP is continuing to use detection dogs like Freddie to identify prohibited agricultural products

Why it matters

Prohibited agricultural products like those found in Marie's luggage (beef, rice, eggplant, cucumbers, bell peppers, corn seeds, and herbs) can carry diseases harmful to native flora and fauna
These agricultural diseases can be difficult to eradicate once they enter the country
The case highlights the importance of agricultural detection work performed by CBP and their canine units
The incident demonstrates consequences for interfering with or harming law enforcement animals

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC