CBP beagle returns to work after being ‘violently’ kicked by traveler at Dulles

DULLES, Va. (DC News Now) — A beloved K-9 is back on the job at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) after a traveler, who authorities say had over 100 pounds of prohibited food products, “violently” kicked the dog last month, sending him airborne.

Five-year-old Freddie, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture detector dog, and his handler were inspecting baggage from travelers who arrived from Cairo, Egypt, on June 24 when Freddie alerted to a suitcase owned by Hamed Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie, 70.

Freddie’s handler started questioning Marie, who “violently kicked Freddie with sufficient force to lift the 25-pound beagle off the ground,” according to a news release from CBP.

Officers immediately arrested Marie, who pleaded guilty the next day to harming animals used in law enforcement. He was credited with time served, ordered to pay the detection dog’s veterinarian’s fee, and then was removed from the U.S. to Egypt, where he lives.

CBP noted that Freddie’s instincts were correct; upon inspecting Marie’s suitcase, officers found several undeclared, prohibited items, including 55 pounds of beef meat, 44 pounds of rice, 15 pounds of eggplant, cucumbers, bell peppers, two pounds of corn seeds, and one pound of herbs.

After the attack, a veterinarian determined that Freddie suffered contusions to his right forward rib area, temporarily putting him out of work as a detector dog, the CBP said.

But after taking time to heal, CBP said Freddie came back to work at the airport Thursday, continuing his mission to detect prohibited items as a part of the agency’s Beagles Brigade.

“Freddie, a @CBP agriculture detector dog, is happy to be working again at @Dulles_Airport,” CBP wrote in a post on the X platform Thursday evening.

“An Egyptian man maliciously kicked Freddie’s ribs after our brave beagle buddy busted the man’s attempt to smuggle 110 pounds of prohibited food into the U.S.,” the agency continued.

Since the incident, which garnered national attention, Melissa Snyder—Freddie’s handler—said the CBP has received an outpouring of support.

“We have received texts and phone calls from friends not only here in the U.S. but outside of the country, it’s gone international,” said Snyder, in an interview with DC News Now. “Thank you for your support; even when you don’t hear about us on the news, officers and specialists here are working diligently every day. It’s always nice for all of them to know when they are supported.”

Officials encourage anyone looking to help Freddie’s recovery to instead donate to a shelter in need.

“We’re touched by the public’s support for CBP K9 Freddie. While CBP cannot accept donations, we encourage you to honor Freddie by donating time or funds to your local animal shelter in his name. Support the mission. Support the animals,” said Matthew Suarez, CBP’s acting director of field operations in Baltimore.