A shocking incident at Brussels Airport has sparked outrage across Belgium and beyond, after a traveller abandoned her dog following a boarding denial. The animal, an American Bully named Pako, was refused access to a flight because of airline restrictions on certain breeds. Rather than delaying her journey or seeking a responsible solution, the woman boarded the plane alone and sent Pako by taxi to the Veeweyde animal shelter in Anderlecht.
The case has been widely condemned, with the shelter denouncing it as an act of “wild abandonment”, an offence under Belgian law.
Denied boarding over breed restrictions
The events unfolded on Thursday 11 September, when the traveller attempted to check in with Pako at Brussels Airport. Airlines frequently restrict the transport of brachycephalic breeds such as American Bullies, Bulldogs and Pugs. These breeds are considered at higher risk of respiratory distress when transported in the hold because of their morphology.
According to reports, Pako’s owner appeared unaware of the restriction and was visibly frustrated by the refusal. Instead of postponing her flight, arranging pet care, or contacting relatives, she decided to board without her dog. Pako was placed into a taxi and delivered to the Veeweyde shelter, leaving volunteers to deal with an unexpected and urgent arrival.
Shelter caught off guard
The Veeweyde shelter, one of the country’s largest and oldest animal protection associations, expressed its indignation in a strongly worded statement on social media.
“Instead of renouncing her holiday or finding a responsible solution, she boarded the plane alone and called a taxi to send us her dog,” the organisation wrote. “We welcomed Pako in an emergency, without the slightest information about him: no habits, no care, nothing. We are deeply shocked. This express delivery of an animal is unacceptable.”
Gaëtan Van Goidsenhoven, president of Veeweyde, described the act as a clear case of abandon sauvage, wild abandonment, which is a criminal offence in Belgium. “Sending a dog by taxi can in no way be considered an acceptable form of abandonment,” he warned.
Pako’s condition
Thanks to Pako’s microchip and health record, which were handed over by the taxi driver, shelter staff were able to confirm that the dog is registered in France. He was found to be in good physical health, though understandably stressed by the upheaval.
Despite the shock of his abrupt change of circumstances, volunteers described him as calm, gentle and sociable. “The team’s morale is low, but Pako remains composed despite what he has just lived through,” the shelter wrote in an update.
The shelter contacted relatives of the owner to alert them to the situation and request further details about Pako’s background. Initially, no one came forward to collect him, but the following weekend the dog was reportedly retrieved by members of the woman’s family. Veeweyde clarified that Pako was not returned to his owner, who had left Belgium for an “exotic destination” and is expected to remain abroad.
Legal and ethical concerns
Belgian animal welfare law treats abandonment as a serious offence. While precise sanctions depend on the circumstances and judicial follow up, wild abandonment can result in fines and, in extreme cases, even prison sentences.
For Veeweyde and other shelters, this case highlights not only the legal implications but also the ethical ones. “An animal is not a suitcase that can be left at an airport luggage counter,” the president stressed. He voiced concern that this unprecedented situation might set a dangerous precedent. “Where are we heading? Towards an Uber for abandonment? We hope that cases like this are prosecuted seriously so that this does not become a trend.”
The shelter also underlined that if the owner were to return and seek to reclaim Pako, strict assurances would be required. Officials insisted they would want to verify that the dog would be properly treated and cared for.
Wider debate on travel with pets
The case has also reignited debate about the challenges of air travel with pets. While many owners view their animals as family members, airlines maintain restrictions for safety reasons. Transporting certain breeds in the cargo hold can be dangerous, and in some cases fatal, because of breathing difficulties.
This is not the first time a pet has been the victim of irresponsible behaviour at an airport. As reported by Travel Tomorrow, a woman in Louisiana was arrested earlier this year after allegedly drowning her miniature schnauzer in a restroom at Orlando International Airport when she was denied boarding for lack of paperwork. The incident, which shocked the United States and beyond, underlined the potential dangers animals face when owners treat them as accessories rather than companions.
Resources do exist for those seeking to travel responsibly. In a previous feature on Travel Tomorrow about flying with pets, experts outlined the documents, health certificates and airline policies that passengers should check before arriving at the airport. Proper preparation, combined with awareness of breed specific restrictions, can avoid tragic or irresponsible outcomes.
Animal welfare organisations stress that while airlines must enforce rules for safety, owners bear the ultimate responsibility to plan carefully. “Solutions exist, contacting relatives, arranging boarding services, or even postponing the trip,” one advocate said. “What should never happen is abandoning an animal at the last minute as if it were excess baggage.”
A warning for pet owners
The incident serves as a stark reminder for pet owners considering international travel. Airlines have varying policies on animal transport, and breed specific restrictions are common. Health certificates, vaccination records and advance bookings are often required.
For shelters like Veeweyde, however, the lesson is about respect for animals. “We accept responsible surrenders, when owners are present to explain their situation and provide information about the animal,” the organisation noted. “What happened here was the opposite: a dog arriving like a parcel, without explanation, left us scrambling. That cannot be normalised.”
As Pako settles back with the relatives of his owner, the shelter continues to call for stronger awareness campaigns and stricter penalties for abandonment. For many Belgians, the story of the American Bully left behind at Brussels Airport has become a symbol of what should never happen when humans travel with animals.
