Additional Coverage:
- Woman charged with animal abandonment after leaving dog tied at JetBlue counter at Las Vegas airport (foxnews.com)
Woman Arrested After Allegedly Abandoning Dog at Harry Reid International Airport
Las Vegas, NV – A woman faces charges of animal abandonment and resisting arrest after allegedly tying her dog to a baggage sizer at a JetBlue ticket counter and walking away at Harry Reid International Airport on February 2nd.
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), officers responded to reports of a dog left unattended at the JetBlue counter. Footage released by the LVMPD shows the woman, whose identity has not been fully released, approaching the counter with her dog before detaching the leash and leaving the animal behind.
Police stated that airline staff denied the woman a boarding pass because she had not completed the necessary online forms to travel with her animal as a service dog. Following this denial, the woman reportedly proceeded through the airport to the departure gate, leaving her dog behind.
When confronted by officers, the woman claimed she was attempting to re-book her flight and that the airline would not allow her to fly with the dog. She also allegedly implied that leaving the dog was acceptable because it had a tracking device and would return to her.
The situation escalated when officers attempted to escort the woman back through the security checkpoint to address the citation for animal abandonment. Police described her as becoming “hostile” and “resisting officers’ attempts to detain her.”
In a social media post, the LVMPD urged the public, stating, “We can’t believe we have to say this… but please don’t abandon your dog at the airport – or anywhere else.”
After a mandatory 10-day hold period passed without the owner returning, the 2-year-old goldendoodle mini poodle mix, now affectionately nicknamed “Jet Blue,” was taken into custody by the nonprofit Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas. The rescue group announced that “Jet Blue” has received numerous applications and inquiries from potential owners and will be placed in a new home.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, the rescue emphasized their commitment to finding “Jet Blue” a stable and loving environment. “This sweet boy is incredible.
Truly incredible. And after everything he’s been through, the thought of him ever experiencing abandonment again has us on very high alert,” the nonprofit wrote.
“We will be extremely intentional in choosing his forever family. He deserves stability.
Security. Commitment.
A lifetime promise.”