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Dog found tied, abandoned at Las Vegas airport; owner arrested at gate

By
Published  February 18, 2026 3:53pm MST
Crime and Public Safety
FOX Local
article

(A woman was arrested at Harry Reid International Airport after police say she tied her dog to a baggage sizer at a JetBlue ticket counter and left it behind. (Credit: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police))

The Brief

    • A woman was arrested at Harry Reid International Airport after allegedly tying her dog to a baggage sizer and leaving it behind when she was denied boarding.
    • Police said the woman claimed the dog had a tracking device and later resisted officers as they escorted her back through a security checkpoint.
    • The dog, now named "Jet Blue," was taken in by a local rescue group after the owner failed to reclaim it and is currently in foster care awaiting adoption.

LAS VEGAS - A woman was arrested at Harry Reid International Airport after allegedly tying her dog to a baggage sizer at a JetBlue ticket counter and abandoning it.

Dig deeper:

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police on February 2, officers were dispatched to Harry Reid International Airport after getting reports that a dog had been tied to a metal carry-on baggage sizer and left behind at the JetBlue ticket counter. 

Airline employees said the dog's owner was told that she needed to complete online documentation in order to travel with the animal as a service dog.

The woman did not complete the paperwork and was denied a boarding pass. 

The owner then left the dog behind and went to the departure gate. 

Officers found the woman at the gate. 

When questioned by officers, the woman said the airline would not let her board with the dog and claimed the animal had a tracking device, suggesting it would be able to find its way back to her. 

(On Feb. 2, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officers were dispatched to Harry Reid International Airport after receiving reports that a dog had been tied to a metal carry-on baggage sizer and left at the JetBlue ticket counter. (Credit: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police))

As officers escorted her back through the security checkpoint, she became combative and resisted detention, police said.

The woman was arrested and booked on charges of animal abandonment and resisting arrest. 

Airport employees and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officers cared for the approximately 2-year-old golden doodle/mini poodle while she was being processed. 

The dog was later taken into custody by Animal Protective Services. 

(The dog, now called "Jet Blue," is safe in foster care and is expected to find a permanent home soon. (Credit: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police))

After the mandatory 10-day hold period expired and the owner did not reclaim the animal, Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas assumed care of the dog.

What's next:

The dog, now named "Jet Blue," is safe and in foster care and is expected to be placed in a permanent home soon.

The Source: The information in this story comes from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. This story was reported from Los Angeles. 

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