Egyptian Man Kicks Customs Dog at DC Airport Over Prohibited Food
It’s one of those stories that sounds so outrageous, you almost think it can’t be real — but it is. Picture this: a quiet Tuesday morning at Washington Dulles International Airport, passengers shuffling through baggage claim, and a hardworking customs dog doing exactly what it’s trained to do — sniff out agricultural contraband. That dog, Freddie the Beagle, a 25-pound member of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Beagle Brigade, was on duty helping protect U.S. agriculture from harmful pests and diseases. Then, something shocking happened.
Freddie had just alerted his handler to a suspicious bag from a flight arriving from Cairo, Egypt. The suitcase belonged to 70-year-old Egyptian national, Hamed Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie. After a brief interaction with a CBP officer, Marie, in an inexplicable act of aggression, kicked Freddie — and not just a little nudge. He kicked him so hard that the beagle was literally lifted off the ground.
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Surveillance footage later confirmed the violent act, showing Freddie in the air with his ears flung back in distress. The poor dog was rushed to a veterinary emergency clinic where he was diagnosed with contusions on his right rib area. Thankfully, Freddie is expected to recover, but the incident has caused public outrage and rightfully so.
Following the attack, Marie was immediately taken into custody and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. Upon searching his luggage, officers discovered more than 100 pounds of prohibited food items — including 55 pounds of beef, 44 pounds of rice, fresh vegetables, seeds, and herbs. These items were banned due to their potential to carry diseases that could devastate U.S. ecosystems and agriculture.
In court, Marie pleaded guilty to one count of harming an animal used in law enforcement. He was sentenced to time already served, ordered to pay Freddie's $840 veterinarian bill, and then deported back to Egypt.
This isn’t just a bizarre headline — it’s a stark reminder of the critical role played by customs canines like Freddie. They’re not just cute companions sniffing bags; they’re frontline defenders in America’s agricultural security. And any attack on them isn’t just cruelty — it’s a federal offense.
CBP officials made it clear: “Being caught smuggling prohibited agriculture products does not give anyone the right to attack a defenseless dog just doing his job.” And they’re absolutely right. Freddie was simply following his nose to keep the country safe. And thanks to swift legal action, justice was served.
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