Man Violently Kicks Freddie (US Customs) Beagle So Hard That He Went Airborne, Charged By Authorities

11 hours ago 5

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection beagle is recovering after being violently kicked by a traveler at Dulles International Airport in Virginia. The 5-year-old beagle, named Freddie, is part of the agency’s agriculture detection team and was performing his duties when the attack occurred.

The incident happened on Tuesday when Hamed Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie, a 70-year-old man from Egypt traveling on a tourist visa, arrived at the airport. As Freddie alerted his handler to contraband in the man’s luggage, the traveler reacted by kicking the dog so hard that he was lifted off the ground, according to court records.

Authorities immediately intervened. Mr. Marie was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor for harming a law enforcement animal. He pleaded guilty the following day and was credited with time served. He was also ordered to pay $840 in restitution and an additional $125 in fines and fees before leaving the country on Thursday.

Freddie was rushed to a veterinary emergency room following the attack and was diagnosed with bruising around his right front rib area. Thankfully, he is expected to make a full recovery.

A search of Mr. Marie’s luggage revealed more than 100 pounds of undeclared food, including 55 pounds of beef, 44 pounds of rice, 15 pounds of eggplant, cucumbers, bell peppers, two pounds of corn seeds, and a pound of herbs. All of it was seized, as the items are prohibited from entering the United States due to strict agricultural regulations.

Christine Waugh, director for the CBP area port of Washington, D.C., expressed outrage at the incident. “Being caught deliberately smuggling well over 100 pounds of undeclared and prohibited agriculture products does not give one permission to violently assault a defenseless Customs and Border Protection beagle,” she said.

Agricultural detection dogs like Freddie play a critical role in protecting U.S. agriculture by identifying and preventing the introduction of harmful pests and diseases. These dogs help stop foreign animal diseases, invasive species, and plant pathogens that can cost countries billions in damage and control efforts.

The agency emphasized that Freddie’s work, and the work of his fellow K-9s, is vital to national biosecurity efforts—and that abuse of any working animal will be met with serious consequences.