Animal group refuses to hand over 15 bulldogs rescued from O’Hare airport warehouse
An animal rescue group in Chicago says it won’t turn over 15 bulldogs that were discovered in a warehouse at O’Hare International Airport last month.
The 15 French bulldogs were among several puppies found sitting in their own filth in a warehouse at O’Hare in August, the Daily Herald reported. They’d been there for four days without food and water.
One had already died before 15 bulldogs were turned over to Chicago French Bulldog Rescue for care, according to the newspaper.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ordered the group to return the dogs to their owner in Jordan on Monday, WGN reported, but the group said Sunday that it wouldn’t comply.
“Out of ongoing concern by Chicago French Bulldog Rescue for the health and welfare of the 15 puppies rescued from a warehouse at O’Hare International Airport, I have informed all relevant agencies of the government and Royal Jordanian Airlines earlier today that the rescue will not be turning over the 15 French bulldog puppies to anyone tomorrow, Monday at 9:00 a.m.,” the rescue group said in a Facebook post.
The group said the dogs were purchased by an illegal importer in Russia and “could be put down” if they’re returned to Jordan, according to WGN.
The dogs had arrived on an international flight Aug. 28 and were denied entry into the U.S. because of “fraudulent paperwork,” WMAQ reported. They were released into the care of Royal Jordanian Airlines and taken to an air cargo facility.
They were discovered Aug. 31 by an airport worker who contacted Chicago police, according to WGN.
Police said the cargo shipment company was issued two citations: one for 17 counts of animal neglect and another for animal neglect that may have contributed to the death of a dog, WMAQ reported.
The rescue group said it has spent “tens of thousands of dollars” caring for the dogs before being ordered by the CDC to return the bulldogs to Jordan, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The rescue group asked for the dogs to be permanently released into their care and launched a petition in support of their request which has garnered more than 100,000 signatures as of Monday, Sept. 28.
Mary Scheffke, director of the rescue group, said she’s worried about the toll the 13-hour flight to Jordan might take on the bulldogs.
“They are very susceptible to heatstroke,” Scheffke told the Daily Herald. “There’s about eight airlines that have banned flying this breed in cargo. Due to the pressurization, the temperature, a lot of them don’t survive.”
