Target: Stephen A. Zappala Jr, District Attorney of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Goal: Prosecute man who allegedly abandoned his chocolate Labrador puppy at a busy airport departures curb to the fullest extent of the law.
A chocolate Labrador puppy was allegedly abandoned at one of the busiest parts of a major airport — the departures curb — left to run loose in traffic and crowds by its owner when he allegedly realised he could not board his flight with the animal. According to police, 42-year-old Omar Perez left the puppy behind rather than make alternative arrangements for its care, abandoning the young dog in a chaotic and dangerous environment with no food, no shelter, and no one responsible for its safety. Officers were alerted by witnesses and, with their help, were able to safely catch the frightened puppy.
According to police, Perez initially attempted to deflect responsibility by claiming that an Uber driver had abandoned the dog — a claim investigators determined to be false. Authorities concluded that Perez himself had left the puppy at the departures curb when he realised he was unable to fly with it, choosing to abandon the animal rather than delay his travel or seek help. Perez is now facing multiple charges, including animal cruelty and animal abandonment. The puppy is reported to be doing well and has been placed in foster care.
Abandoning a puppy in the middle of a busy airport departures zone is not a minor lapse in judgment — it is an act of deliberate cruelty that exposed a young animal to the risk of serious injury or death. The fact that Perez allegedly attempted to falsely blame an Uber driver further suggests a troubling disregard for both the animal’s welfare and the integrity of the investigation. The District Attorney must ensure that all charges are prosecuted vigorously and that any sentence includes a prohibition on future animal ownership.
PETITION LETTER:
DA Zappala,
We are writing in response to a deeply troubling incident in which a man allegedly abandoned his chocolate Labrador puppy at the departures curb of a major international airport because he realised he could not fly with the animal. The puppy was reportedly left to run loose in a busy, dangerous environment until witnesses alerted police, who worked with bystanders to safely catch the dog. According to investigators, when confronted, the accused attempted to falsely blame an Uber driver for the abandonment — a claim police determined to be untrue.
The accused is now facing charges of animal cruelty and animal abandonment. We believe these charges must be pursued to the fullest extent of the law. A puppy left alone and running loose at a busy airport departures curb faced a genuine risk of injury or death — struck by vehicles, lost, or worse. That the accused allegedly chose to abandon the animal rather than delay his travel or seek any alternative arrangement reflects a callous disregard for the life and welfare of a young dog in his care.
We ask that your office ensure the accused faces consequences that reflect the seriousness of this alleged abandonment and deter future acts of animal cruelty.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Chachacha369
