WASHINGTON D.C., June 27, 2025 – A 70‑year‑old Egyptian man has been deported after violently kicking a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) beagle at Washington Dulles International Airport. The incident—widely shared by U.S. authorities—highlighted both the crucial role played by CBP’s canine teams and the serious consequences of harming law enforcement animals.
Routine Inspection Escalates into Assault
On Tuesday, June 24, a CBP agriculture detection team intercepted a suitcase that had arrived from Cairo, Egypt. The suitcase drew attention after being flagged by Freddie, a five‑year‑old, 25‑lb beagle with the CBP “Beagle Brigade” for detecting agricultural contraband
When CBP handler began questioning the traveler, Hamed Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie, he kicked the dog with sufficient force to lift him off the ground. Freddie sustained contusions to his right rib area and was prescribed rest and mild pain medication
Discovery of Prohibited Agricultural Items
During a subsequent search, CBP officers found a large cache of undeclared provisions in Mr. Marie’s luggage, including 55 pounds of beef, 44 pounds of rice, 15 pounds of cucumbers, bell peppers and eggplant, 2 lbs of corn seeds, 1 lb of assorted herbs and other items strictly forbidden under U.S. law due to the risk of introducing pests, disease, and invasive species into American agriculture. In total Freddie detected a 1000 lbs worth of illegeal goods
Legal Repercussions and Deportation
Marie was arrested on the spot and charged with “willfully and maliciously harming a police animal,” a federal offense. On Wednesday, June 26, he pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Virginia, where he was ordered to pay $840 in veterinary fees for Freddie’s treatment. Marie was subsequently deported back to Egypt on Thursday, June 27, with no additional imprisonment beyond time served.
CBP’s Strong Message on Protecting K9 Units
Officials emphasized that attacking a CBP dog is an attack on the entire national security apparatus. Christine Waugh, CBP Area Port Director for Washington D.C., stated:
“Being caught deliberately smuggling well over one hundred pounds of undeclared and prohibited agriculture products does not give one permission to violently assault a defenseless Customs and Border Protection beagle… Any malicious attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.”
CBP vowed to work closely with prosecutors to ensure swift and severe justice is meted out in such cases
Freddie the Beagle on the Road to Recovery
Veterinarians treated Freddie for rib bruising; he is resting and expected to make a full recovery. The agency reported seeing widespread public support for the dog, even posting an image of Freddie enjoying a “Pup Cup” on Instagram. He is expected to return to active duty in the coming week.
Understanding CBP’s Beagle Brigade
CBP’s Beagle Brigade is a frontline program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, with teams at major international airports across the United States. These beagles are trained to detect dozens of banned items—from meat and produce seeds and animal byproducts. They assist in roughly 75,000 seizures of prohibited products annually.
What Travelers Should Know: Airport Rules Around Customs Dogs
When interacting with CBP canine units at U.S. ports of entry, travelers must adhere to these rules:
Always comply with handler directions – dogs work under a handler’s guidance.
Never touch, distract, obstruct, or harm the dog – doing so may constitute a federal crime.
Declare all agricultural items – failure to declare can result in seizure, fines, deportation, or even assault charges if resistance escalates.
Follow baggage inspection procedures – handlers and officers may inspect luggage after a dog’s alert.
This incident emphasizes two critical points:
CBP canine units play an indispensable role in safeguarding U.S. agriculture and public health and attacks on law enforcement animals carry serious legal repercussions. Freddie’s case reaffirms federal commitment to protecting canine partners and enforcing customs regulations. Travelers should be fully aware of the rules and respect the vital role these animals play.
