Supporters Want French Bulldogs To Stay in U.S. After Chicago O'Hare Rescue

By Kelly Fisher

September 23, 2020

Fifteen French Bulldog puppies were rescued from a O’Hare International Airport warehouse in Chicago, and thousands are pleading with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to allow them to stay in the country despite improper paperwork.

Chicago police officers found the French Bulldogs on August 31, when a Good Samaritan reported apparent animal abuse. Officers found the dogs caged, without food or water and sitting in their own waste. They'd barely received care, if any, after arriving in Chicago four days earlier, the police investigation found, a Chicago Police Department spokesperson confirmed to NBC Chicago.

Royal Jordanian Airlines improperly documented the original shipment, WGN9 reported. The airline requested the rescue organization that took the dogs in release them to be sent back.

The company received multiple citations, including for 17 counts of animal neglect, and for neglect that may have contributed to the death of one of the dogs.

“If it hadn’t been for the Good Samaritan that approached the police to make the aware of the situation, how many days would those dogs have sat at that warehouse? Nobody was proactive,” Chicago French Bulldog Rescue's Mary Scheffke said to the news station She said vet bills for the dogs have surpassed $20,000.

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On August 31st, approximately 20 dogs were confiscated from a warehouse within Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. These dogs arrived from the country of Jordan on Royal Jordanian Airlines many days prior. On August 31st, an unrelated good Samaritan alerted a Chicago Police Officer that there were numerous dogs in a warehouse living in dire circumstances and urged investigation. Upon investigation, the police discovered that these dogs were without food and water, dehydrated and in abhorrent sanitary conditions. It is unclear what would have happened to these dogs or how long they would have languished had the unrelated third party not taken this heroic step. Royal Jordanian Airlines housed an improperly documented shipment of dogs two to a crate, without food or water for numerous days. The crates were caked with fecal matter and urine inches thick. The dogs suffered skin lesions from sitting in their own excrement as shown in the photo we have included. One puppy was found deceased after being in the warehouse for days. Upon discovering these conditions and observing the imminent danger to these animals, the Chicago Police Department immediately took custody of the dogs. An employee for the warehouse, under the direction of the Chicago Police Department, then contacted Chicago French Bulldog Rescue and asked if they would take custody of 15 French Bulldogs who were in the warehouse. The Rescue responded to this request on a moment’s notice. The Rescue arranged to have several veterinary clinics prepped and on stand-by to provide treatment and quarantine for all 15 dogs that same evening. The Rescue went to the warehouse and assisted the police in evaluating and loading the dogs into their rescue vehicle, took custody of the dogs and transported them to their veterinary partners where they have been treated, quarantined, pro active in medical care and testing for parvo and even socialized. Their medical bills exceed $20,000. “The van the rescued dogs were in was covered in flies due to the pups being covered in feces and urine,” said a rescue volunteer through tears who was on the scene when the dogs were discovered. “It was horrible for them.

A post shared by Chicago French Bulldog Rescue (@chicagofrenchbulldogrescue) on Sep 21, 2020 at 10:52am PDT

Though the CDC is requesting the puppies be returned, “we don’t know if they’ll survive this whole ordeal again,” Scheffke added.

Others share concerns about the dogs.

More than 17,000 supporters have signed a petition, which details how the dogs arrived in the U.S. and were rescued, to allow the dogs to stay in the U.S. under the Chicago French Bulldog Rescue’s care. Some officials, including Alderman Raymond Lopez, are also requesting the CDC allow the dogs to stay.

But time is running out.

Royal Jordanian Airlines is slated to pick up the dogs to bring them back on September 28, NBC Chicago reported.

Another situation at @fly2ohare & dogs, now involving @RoyalJordanian & 15 French bulldogs left w/o proper care since August 31st! Thanks to the rescue org, @Chicago_Police & whistleblowers for stepping up to save them. Now we need the @CDCDirector & @CDCgov to let them stay! pic.twitter.com/RGANwKNy1d
— Ald. Raymond Lopez (@RLopez15thWard) September 21, 2020

Photo: Getty Images