Dog dumped at the airport by ‘woman who was going on holiday’

A distressing incident unfolded at Pittsburgh International Airport when a woman left her French Bulldog behind after being refused permission to bring the canine on board a flight to a holiday resort.

According to officials, the abandoned dog was discovered unattended in a stroller in a car park, looking terrified. The Allegheny County Police Department took to Twitter to share this unfortunate turn of events.

The passenger had been informed that she would need a crate for her dog if she wished to travel with it. However, she had only a stroller for the pet.

So, she left the dog “near short-term parking as the woman proceeded to board a flight.”

Sgt Jason Donaldson told ABC affiliate WTAE-TV the woman tried to claim her pet was an emotional support dog so it could board the flight, but airline employees didn’t believe her.

The officer said: “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.

“In turn, the dog was abandoned, and the dog’s owner continued to its resort destination as intended.”

But, there is a happy ending to the sad story. Allegheny County Police shared an update on its Twitter.

It wrote: “We heard from so many of you and wanted to provide an update on the dog found at Pittsburgh International Airport on August 4. First and foremost, the dog is doing well and is still being fostered.:

They shared that a 44-year-old woman called Allison Gaiser of Kittanning has had charges filed against her.

IT went on: “Investigators determined Gaiser intentionally abandoned the dog near short-term parking before boarding a plane to a resort destination in Mexico.

Allegheny County Police are charging Gaiser with one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty, along with summary violations of animal cruelty, animal neglect and abandonment of animals by owner. These charges are being issued via summons.”

The police went on: “We also want to say thank you to everyone that reached out about the dog. There are many pets still looking for a home and we would encourage anyone interested in adoption to reach out to your local shelter or Animal Friends at 412-847-7000.

Under Pennsylvania law, abandoning a dog is illegal, and those found guilty can face fines of up to $1,000.