Veterinarians refuse CDC request to deport bulldog puppies

CHICAGO (AP) — Veterinarians caring for 15 bulldog puppies rescued from a warehouse at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Monday refused to send the dogs back to the Middle East country from which they came.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week ordered the animals back to Jordan. However, the Chicago French Bulldog Rescue, which has been taking care of the animals since August, refused, saying they are concerned the dogs might be mistreated again.

“Out of ongoing concern by Chicago French Bulldog Rescue for the health and welfare of the 15 puppies rescued from a warehouse at O’Hare International Airport, I have informed all relevant agencies of the government and Royal Jordanian Airlines earlier today that the rescue will not be turning over the 15 French bulldog puppies to anyone,” R. Tamara de Silva, an attorney representing the rescue group, said in a statement.

Officials say the dogs were shipped to the United States from Russia with forged papers to get around limits on the number of dogs any one person can import.

Chicago police say a total of 20 dogs were discovered by an employee at the O’Hare cargo warehouse last month. Officers found 16 French bulldogs delivered by Royal Jordanian Airlines in small cages, covered in feces and urine, without water or food, and one dead dog. One dog died later.

The puppies were denied entry into the U.S. after a CDC representative judged they were below the age requirement of four months, Chicago French Bulldog Rescue spokeswoman Mary Scheffke said.

The bulldogs have received proper vaccinations and are able to be quarantined, Scheffke said.