Outrage As Injured Puppy Found Abandoned in Bag at Airport

A search is underway to contact and find answers from a dog owner who left an injured puppy at the Indianapolis International Airport on Monday.

An airport employee noticed the dog, who has since been named Boeing, early on Monday. Boeing was in a travel carrier with a leash stashed in the side pocket. The employee contacted a relative who volunteers at Speedway Animal Rescue to see if the shelter could keep the dog and without hesitation, the group took him in.

Boeing is believed to be a Maltese who is about six months or younger. The Indianapolis-based shelter brought in the dog and noticed he had recently had surgery as there was evidence of an IV catheter in the dog's leg, sutures, and a body bandage. The shelter wants to find out what happened to make sure he gets the care he needs, like antibiotics or pain medicine.

"If you are that owner, please contact us. You will not get in trouble. Your dog is safe, we just want information so that we can keep an eye on his injuries and better understand what he may need," a Facebook post from the shelter reads.

The shelter's guess as to why Boeing was abandoned is that he did not have a health certificate, forcing the owner to make a choice.

The requirements for traveling internationally with a pet typically include blood tests, vaccinations, microchips, permits, and health certificates, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, this depends on the airline and country.

"We do not know how Boeing came to be abandoned, but the airport is conducting a full investigation," Shelter Board President Anna Weber told Newsweek via email.

Megan Carrico, director of public affairs for Indianapolis Airport Authority, said in a media briefing on November 7 that the airport is looking into the incident further, but based on the location where the dog was found, it will be difficult to track and trace who may have left the Boeing.

The incident report states airport authorities responded to the unattended bag on the upper level by the southwest ticket counter near a trash receptacle.

"Carrier was opened and the dog appeared to be too large for the container," the report states. "Dog was covered in urine and feces. It's quite evident that the dog had been inside its carrier for quite some time."

Boeing is safe and sound, currently living with a foster family. Some Facebook users have already expressed interest in adopting Boeing.

The shelter wrote in a comment that Boeing would not be available for adoption until they clear him medically and have him on hold for two weeks.

Weber told Newsweek that they already have an adopter in mind. The family lives in Maine with three similar dogs who were all adopted from Speedway Animal Rescue. They have been in talks with the family about adopting Boeing.

"If this is a situation where someone fled domestic violence, we would like to help this person possibly be reunited with Boeing in the future," said Weber.

But the priority is making sure Boeing heals well before he goes off to his forever family.

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