Share and Follow
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A heartwarming chapter has been written in Las Vegas as a dog, previously abandoned at the city’s Harry Reid International Airport, has found a loving home. The canine, now known as “JetBlue,” was adopted by none other than the police officer who was there on the day of his discovery.
JetBlue’s journey to his new home began on February 2 when a surveillance camera captured a woman leaving him at a Terminal 3 ticket counter at Reid Airport. The incident prompted a swift response from Las Vegas Metropolitan Officer Skeeter Black, who was deeply moved by the situation.
Officer Black, along with his family, has welcomed JetBlue into their lives, ensuring the dog receives the love and care he deserves. The Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas, the organization involved in JetBlue’s rescue, praised this adoption as much more than just finding a pet a home. “This is a story of compassion, accountability, and a hero stepping forward for a dog who deserved better,” they remarked.
Expressing his joy, Officer Black shared, “We’re very excited to add him to our family, to introduce a new dog to our family. We’re going to enjoy him, and he’s going to be very much loved.” JetBlue’s tale is a testament to the power of kindness and the difference one person can make.
“We’re very excited to add him to our family, to introduce a new dog to our family,” Black said on Saturday. “We’re going to enjoy him, and he’s going to be very much loved.”
In the airport video, officers were seen speaking to the dog’s former owner, Germiran Bryson. Bryson tied the dog to a metal baggage sizer and then left to board the plane after she couldn’t produce the proper paperwork to register the animal as a service dog for the flight, according to police.
Officers said Bryson claimed the dog would return to her since it had a tracking device. Bryson was booked on charges of animal abandonment, resisting arrest, and providing a false statement to or obstructing a public officer, police said.
At the time, several airport employees at the JetBlue ticket counter were also seen on the video stepping in to help the animal and named the dog “JetBlue” as a result.
-
JetBlue, A dog abandoned at Reid Airport, has found his forever home. (LVMPD) -
JetBlue, A dog abandoned at Reid Airport, has found his forever home. (LVMPD)
Animal control took custody of JetBlue, and after a 10-day hold, his owner did not reclaim him, relinquishing him to Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas. After he was put up for adoption, the shelter recieved more than 2,500 adoption applications for him worldwide.
Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas founder Danielle Roth said the shelter and Animal Control reached out to Bryson, asking her to either have a family member pick up JetBlue or have him released to a rescue.
Roth said Bryson hung up on them and instead allowed JetBlue to sit in a shelter for the 10-day hold.
“Before [JetBlue] went viral, we learned of a perfect match,” Roth said. “It was a hero in our community, who was not only there when he was rescued, but [Officer Skeeter Black] has served our community and is a hero.”
JetBlue Airlines also donated $6,000 to Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas when they heard his story, and an anonymous donor has since doubled that donation.