From the New York Post: A brainless traveler was arrested for allegedly ditching her 2-year-old pup at the ticket counter inside Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport after she was told she couldn’t bring it on board her flight without legitimate service dog documentation.
The woman rushed into the Nevada airport around midnight Feb. 2 with her excitable goldendoodle and attempted to check her bags, but was told she couldn’t bring the dog on the plane without service dog documentation, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
So the woman opted to tie her dog’s leash to the JetBlue ticket counter and head to the departure gate — even though she’d been denied a boarding pass, police said.
The Las Vegas Police Department shared full details of the shocking incident in a Facebook post, as follows:
🐾 Abandoned at the Airport… but Not Forgotten
We can’t believe we have to say this… but please don’t abandon your dog at the airport — or anywhere else.
On February 2, 2026, at approximately 11:39 p.m., LVMPD officers assigned to Harry Reid International Airport responded to Terminal 3 after receiving reports of a dog that had been tied to a metal carry-on baggage sizer and left behind at the JetBlue ticket counter.
Airline staff advised the dog’s owner she was required to complete online documentation in order to travel with the animal as a service dog. When the required paperwork was not completed, the passenger was denied a boarding pass. She then left the dog behind and proceeded through the airport to the departure gate.
Officers later located the individual at Gate D1. When asked why she abandoned the dog, she stated the airline would not allow her to fly with it and claimed the dog had a tracking device — implying it was acceptable to leave the animal behind and it would return to her.
While escorting her back through the security checkpoint, she became hostile and resisted officers’ attempts to detain her.
She was arrested and booked for:
▪️ Animal Abandonment
▪️ Resisting Arrest
Airport employees and LVMPD Officers immediately stepped in to care for the approximately 2-year-old golden doodle/mini poodle while the owner was processed. Animal Protective Services took custody of the dog. After the mandatory 10-day hold period passed and the owner never returned, Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas stepped in.
The dog — now affectionately named “Jet Blue” — is safe, in foster care, and will soon be placed in a new, loving home ❤️
This incident highlights:
✔️ LVMPD’s zero-tolerance stance on animal abuse and neglect
✔️ Strong collaboration between airport staff, TSA, Animal Control, and local rescue partners
✔️ That abandoning an animal is a serious criminal offense
Event #: LLV260200007309
The Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas then posted a photo of the adorable pup and wrote:
JetBlue ✈️💙 (please see @lvmpd For his backstory) 2 yr Old Male Goldendoodle
His story has been a lot… and we promise to share the news stories and updates as they unfold.
JetBlue was abandoned at the LV airport. His owner was arrested & charged for animal abandonment. While that part of his story is heartbreaking, what has followed has been nothing short of extraordinary.
The outpouring of love from our community has been overwhelming in the most beautiful way. We are doing our very best to keep up with the messages, calls, and applications — please bear with us. 💙
We can share this:
He has received so many applications & inquiries. (Yes — applications are required.) We only have one JetBlue… but we have many other amazing dogs just like him who are also waiting for their second chance. If your heart was moved by his story, we hope you’ll consider one of them too.
This sweet boy is incredible. Truly incredible. And after everything he’s been through, the thought of him ever experiencing abandonment again has us on very high alert. We will be extremely intentional in choosing his forever family. He deserves stability. Security. Commitment. A lifetime promise.
In a powerful way, JetBlue has brought awareness to rescue, to abandonment laws, and to the reality that dogs are not disposable. He may end up helping many of our babies find homes because of the spotlight he’s created — and for that, we are so grateful.
We also want to publicly thank the incredible people who stepped in immediately: ✨ The amazing JetBlue ticket counter employees
✨ TSA
✨ LVMPD @lvmpd
✨ Animal Control
✨ The Animal Foundation
And thank you to @dogsupplieslv for hosting us and letting JetBlue choose his own toys tonight (yes, he has excellent taste 🧸💙). A huge thank you to Signature for donating a year’s supply of food!
We will continue to follow through and ensure accountability. Let’s make sure the charges stick. This matters. But remember — he isn’t just a headline. He isn’t just a cute face. He is a living, breathing soul who needs his needs met for the rest of his life.
We can’t thank you all enough for the love and support. More soon… this is just Part One of JetBlue’s journey. ✈️💙
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