Man Kicks and Injures CBP Beagle During Airport Baggage Search

Key Takeaways

• On June 24, 2025, Hamed Marie kicked CBP beagle Freddie at Washington Dulles Airport, injuring the dog.
• Marie carried over 100 pounds of undeclared agricultural products including beef, rice, and vegetables.
• Marie pleaded guilty to harming a law enforcement animal and was deported with fines for veterinary care.

A 70-year-old Egyptian national, Hamed Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie, was detained and later deported after kicking and injuring a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) beagle during a baggage inspection at Washington Dulles International Airport on June 24, 2025. The incident, which involved the CBP beagle named Freddie, has drawn national attention to the vital role of detector dogs in protecting the United States 🇺🇸 from harmful agricultural products and the legal consequences for harming law enforcement animals.

What Happened at Washington Dulles International Airport?

On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, Hamed Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport on a flight from Cairo, Egypt 🇪🇬. During routine screening, Freddie, a five-year-old CBP beagle weighing 25 pounds, alerted his handler to Marie’s luggage. Freddie is part of the CBP Beagle Brigade, a group of specially trained dogs that sniff out prohibited food, plants, and animal products in travelers’ bags.

When Freddie signaled that something was wrong, CBP officers began questioning Marie. During this process, Marie kicked Freddie, injuring the dog’s right forward rib area. Officers immediately restrained and handcuffed Marie. Freddie was quickly taken to a veterinarian, where he was treated for bruises and given pain medication. According to CBP Public Affairs spokesperson Steve Sapp, Freddie is expected to make a full recovery and should return to work within a week.

Why Are CBP Beagles So Important?

CBP beagles like Freddie play a critical role in protecting U.S. agriculture. The United States 🇺🇸 is constantly at risk from pests and diseases that can enter the country through food, plants, and animal products brought in by travelers. The CBP Beagle Brigade is trained to detect these items before they can cause harm.

On a typical day, CBP officers intercept more than 3,500 prohibited plant and animal products at U.S. ports of entry. These items can carry pests or diseases that could devastate American farms and cost billions of dollars in damages. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the Beagle Brigade has been credited with saving the country from major agricultural disasters by stopping dangerous goods at the border.

What Did CBP Find in Marie’s Luggage?

After Freddie’s alert, CBP officers inspected Marie’s bags and found more than 100 pounds of undeclared, prohibited agricultural products. The items included:

• 55 pounds of beef
• 44 pounds of rice
• 15 pounds of vegetables (such as eggplant, cucumbers, and bell peppers)
• 2 pounds of corn seeds
• 1 pound of herbs

These goods are not allowed into the United States 🇺🇸 without special permits because they can carry pests or diseases. By failing to declare these items, Marie broke U.S. laws designed to protect the country’s food supply and environment.

Legal Consequences for Harming a CBP Beagle

Marie was immediately detained and charged under federal law for harming an animal used in law enforcement. The specific law, 18 USC 1368, makes it a crime to injure or kill animals that help police or other government officers. You can read the full text of this law on the U.S. Government Publishing Office website.

Marie was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations agents and brought before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia the next day. On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, he pleaded guilty to the charge. The court sentenced him to time served, ordered him to pay for Freddie’s veterinary care, and directed him to report to CBP for removal from the United States 🇺🇸.

On Thursday, June 26, 2025, Marie was deported and left the country on a flight to Egypt 🇪🇬 at 12:30 p.m.

CBP’s Response and Official Statements

CBP officials strongly condemned the attack on Freddie. Christine Waugh, Area Port Director for Washington, D.C., made a clear statement:

“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. We rely heavily on our K9 partners and Freddie was just doing his job. Any malicious attack on one of us is an attack on all of us, and CBP will continue to work with our investigating and prosecuting partners to deal swift and severe justice to perpetrators.”

This statement highlights how seriously CBP takes the safety of its canine partners. The agency has a zero-tolerance policy for violence against law enforcement animals. The quick arrest, prosecution, and removal of Marie show that CBP and its partners will not hesitate to act when their officers—human or canine—are harmed.

Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Incident

To help readers understand how such cases are handled, here is a step-by-step summary of what happened:

1. Detection: Freddie, the CBP beagle, alerted to Marie’s luggage during routine screening of arrivals from Cairo.
2. Questioning: The CBP handler began questioning Marie about the alert.
3. Assault: Marie kicked Freddie, injuring the dog.
4. Immediate Response: CBP officers restrained and handcuffed Marie.
5. Medical Care: Freddie was examined by a veterinarian and treated for bruises.
6. Investigation: CBP and Homeland Security Investigations processed the case.
7. Legal Proceedings: Marie was charged, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced in federal court.
8. Removal: Marie was ordered to pay veterinary fees and was deported from the United States 🇺🇸.

The Role of the CBP Beagle Brigade

The CBP Beagle Brigade is a group of specially trained dogs that work at airports and other ports of entry. Their job is to sniff out food, plants, and animal products that travelers try to bring into the country. These items can carry pests and diseases that could harm U.S. farms and the environment.

The Beagle Brigade has been in operation for decades and is considered one of the most effective tools for protecting American agriculture. The dogs are trained to detect even small amounts of prohibited goods, and their friendly appearance helps put travelers at ease. However, as this incident shows, their work can also put them at risk.

Legal Protections for Law Enforcement Animals

Federal law gives special protection to animals like Freddie who work with law enforcement. Under 18 USC 1368, it is a federal crime to harm or kill a police dog, horse, or other animal used by government officers. The law recognizes that these animals are not just pets—they are important members of the law enforcement team.

Penalties for violating this law can include prison time, fines, and orders to pay for the animal’s medical care. In Marie’s case, the court ordered him to pay for Freddie’s veterinary bills and removed him from the country.

Implications for Travelers

This case serves as a clear warning to all travelers entering the United States 🇺🇸. It is important to:

• Declare all food, plants, and animal products you are bringing into the country. Failure to do so can result in fines, confiscation of goods, and even criminal charges.
• Respect law enforcement officers and their canine partners. Assaulting a CBP beagle or any law enforcement animal is a serious crime with severe consequences.
• Understand that U.S. laws are strictly enforced at ports of entry, and ignorance of the rules is not an excuse.

Travelers should always check the CBP official website for up-to-date information on what items are allowed or prohibited when entering the United States 🇺🇸.

Broader Impact and Stakeholder Perspectives

CBP and Law Enforcement

CBP officials stress that canine units are essential for border security and agricultural protection. Detector dogs like Freddie help prevent the introduction of pests and diseases that could cost the country billions of dollars. The agency’s swift action in this case sends a strong message that violence against these animals will not be tolerated.

Animal Welfare Advocates

Animal welfare groups have pointed to this incident as an example of the dangers faced by working animals. They argue that strong legal protections are needed to keep these animals safe and ensure that those who harm them are held accountable.

Travelers and Civil Liberties

While some advocacy groups sometimes raise concerns about due process and the speed of removal proceedings, there have been no such statements reported in this case. The facts show that Marie was given a court hearing, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced according to the law.

Historical Context: The Beagle Brigade’s Legacy

The CBP Beagle Brigade was created to address the growing threat of agricultural pests and diseases entering the United States 🇺🇸 through international travel. Over the years, these dogs have stopped countless dangerous items from crossing the border. Their work has been credited with saving American farmers and preventing major outbreaks of plant and animal diseases.

The program’s success has led to similar efforts in other countries, and the beagle has become a symbol of border protection around the world.

No Immediate Policy Changes, but Ongoing Vigilance

As of June 28, 2025, there have been no new policy changes announced in response to this incident. However, CBP has reiterated its commitment to prosecuting attacks on law enforcement animals. The agency may also review its training or signage for international passengers to make sure travelers understand the presence and legal status of detector dogs.

Freddie, the CBP beagle, is expected to return to duty within a week, continuing his important work at Washington Dulles International Airport.

Key Facts at a Glance

What Should Travelers Do?

If you are planning to travel to the United States 🇺🇸, keep these tips in mind:

• Always declare any food, plants, or animal products you are bringing with you.
• Cooperate with CBP officers and their canine partners. If a CBP beagle alerts to your bag, answer questions honestly and calmly.
• Never attempt to harm or interfere with law enforcement animals. Doing so is a federal crime and can result in arrest, fines, and removal from the country.

For more information on what you can bring into the United States 🇺🇸 and how to declare items, visit the CBP official travel page.

Conclusion

The incident at Washington Dulles International Airport involving Hamed Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie and the CBP beagle Freddie is a powerful reminder of the important work done by detector dogs and the serious consequences for those who harm them. CBP’s quick response, the legal proceedings, and Marie’s removal from the United States 🇺🇸 show that the agency takes the safety of its officers—both human and canine—very seriously.

Freddie is expected to make a full recovery and return to his duties soon, continuing to protect the country from dangerous agricultural products. The case also highlights the need for travelers to understand and follow U.S. laws when entering the country. By respecting the rules and the officers who enforce them, travelers can help keep the United States 🇺🇸 safe and secure for everyone.

For official updates and resources, travelers and interested parties can always refer to the CBP official website.

Learn Today

CBP Beagle Brigade → A team of specially trained beagles detecting prohibited agricultural products at U.S. border entries.
Harmed Law Enforcement Animal → An animal assisting police protected under federal law from injury or killing.
18 USC 1368 → Federal statute making it a crime to injure or kill law enforcement animals.
Undeclared Agricultural Products → Food or plant items brought into the U.S. without required permits or declaration.
Deportation → The legal removal of a foreign national from the United States.

This Article in a Nutshell

A traveler at Washington Dulles Airport assaulted CBP beagle Freddie after the dog detected prohibited items in luggage. The attacker was charged, pleaded guilty, and deported. This case underscores the vital role of detector dogs in U.S. border security and the strict legal protections for law enforcement animals.
— By VisaVerge.com