LAS VEGAS — A 26-year-old woman was arrested on Feb. 2 at Harry Reid International Airport after police say she abandoned her dog at a JetBlue ticket counter and proceeded to try to board a flight without it. The incident has drawn widespread attention online and sparked conversation about pet travel rules and animal abandonment.
Airport Encounter and Abandonment
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the incident began late that night just before 11:40 p.m. when airline staff at the JetBlue check-in counter encountered a woman attempting to check in with an approximately 2-year-old goldendoodle/mini poodle mix. The woman had arrived with the dog on a leash, but she had not completed the required documentation airline staff said was necessary to travel with the dog as a service animal. Officials say she was denied a boarding pass as a result.
Surveillance video released by the department shows the woman tying the dog’s leash to a metal carry-on baggage sizer at the counter before walking away — leaving the animal unattended. She then proceeded through the airport toward her departure gate without the dog, according to authorities.
When officers located her at Gate D1, she was asked to explain why she had left her dog behind. Police said the woman told them the airline would not allow her to fly with the animal and claimed the dog had a tracking device, which she implied meant it could find its way back to her — a claim authorities noted as unfounded.
Arrest and Charges
As officers escorted her back through the airport to the ticket counter, police say the woman became hostile and resisted officers’ attempts to detain her. She was subsequently arrested and booked on misdemeanor charges, including animal abandonment and resisting a public officer.
In a social media post, the Las Vegas police wrote, “We can’t believe we have to say this … but please don’t abandon your dog at the airport — or anywhere else,” underscoring concerns about the seriousness of animal abandonment.
Care and Rescue of the Dog
Airport staff and police officers tended to the dog after it was found tied up. The animal was temporarily cared for by Animal Protective Services while authorities processed the situation. After the required 10-day holding period passed without the woman reclaiming the dog, it was transferred into the care of Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas, a nonprofit animal rescue.
The rescue organization gave the dog the nickname “JetBlue” — a reference to the airline ticket counter where he was left — and described him as affectionate, gentle and incredibly social, even after the frightening experience.
Community Response and Adoption
The story quickly spread on social media, drawing public sympathy and attention. Kennel rescue officials said they received thousands of adoption applications for the dog from across the United States and around the world.
Ultimately, one of the Las Vegas police officers who helped respond to the incident — along with his family — was chosen to adopt JetBlue after having an approved application with the rescue organization. The family had been actively seeking a goldendoodle companion and maintained contact with the rescue throughout the hold period.
Police later shared photos of JetBlue settled in his new home with the officer and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of community support. The rescue released a statement emphasizing the importance of finding the dog a home where he will receive “stability, security, commitment and a lifetime promise.”
Travel Advice and Wider Discussion
This incident has prompted aviation and animal welfare observers to highlight the importance of checking airline policies before traveling with pets or service animals. Most carriers require documentation — sometimes including advance notice, health certificates or proof of training — long before a flight. Failing to comply can result in denied boarding or other complications.
Airport officials and police departments remind pet owners that abandoning an animal — particularly in a busy public space like an airport — can endanger the animal and lead to legal trouble.
