Owner could face charges after 'abandoning dog at airport to make her flight'

09 August 2023 , 21:58

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The dog had to be taken to a rescue centre (Image: Allegheny County Police Department/Facebook)

A Pittsburgh woman could face charges after she allegedly abandoned her dog in an airport car park when she was told she couldn't take her pet on the plane without a crate.

On Friday, the woman's French Bulldog, was found in a crate at around 5.30am in the short-term parking area of Pittsburgh International Airport. The owner was tracked down when officers discovered the dog was microchipped, but police were unable to contact her.

The unfortunate pooch was taken by the Allegheny County Police Department to local animal shelter Animal Friends and the seven-year-old pup is now looking for a new home.

Animal Friends' Humane Society Police Officers are investigating. Charges of animal abandonment are now expected to be filed and this could carry a penalty of up to $1,000.

Animal Friends said: "The dog will remain on hold, and Animal Friends is pleased to provide the necessary treatment and supportive care the dog needs until this case is resolved."

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The woman failed to convince airline staff the bulldog was an emotional support animal (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Sergeant Jason Donaldson of Allegheny County Police Department told WTAE-TV that the owner of the dog was unable to convince airline staff the pup was an emotional support animal. Instead of booking another flight and securing the correct travel equipment for her dog, the owner decided to leave the dog at the airport and flew to a resort.

"We were able to determine that the dog's owner had attempted to fly with the dog this morning and was denied boarding due to having an improper cargo container," Sergeant Donaldson added.

The case comes months after a man in New Jersey was charged after he tied up his dog outside an Iowa airport so he could catch a flight home.

Bigsen Charles, 24, was charged with a number of offences including animal abandonment and neglect. Charles said he did not know he needed a kennel to transport his puppy.

He told DailyMail.com: "I already checked in and didn't want to miss my flight. I thought if I paid for the dog on the plane they would give her a kennel. I didn't know I had to bring my own."

Charles also explained he had not told his girlfriend he had left the dog behind because she would "kick me out if she knew."

Animal Rescue League of Iowa staff member Tina Updegrove told the news outlet the stranded pup was "such a sweetheart."

Benjamin Lynch