"How did the bag get through any part of customs in America and no one notice on the plane FFS."
The Brisbane Bullets have released the following statement:
As has been reported Lamar Patterson arrived in Australia yesterday with his dog and without the required documentation.
Prior to travel Lamar had contacted both airlines he was travelling on to determine if he was able to travel with the dog, as he has done previously domestically in the US.
His understanding from the feedback received from the airlines was that he was able to travel with the dog provided it was noted on his ticket, which he complied with.
Lamar passed through security at LAX with the dog and was not stopped or questioned, nor was he stopped or questioned when boarding the flight to Brisbane where he had the dog in the cabin in a dog carrier bag.
Lamar was only aware of the issue with the dog when entering Border Patrol in Brisbane. Once advised by Border Patrol of the issue Lamar worked through the process of organising for the dog to return to the USA on the next available flight. The dog has now returned to the USA.
Lamar was fined for an error in filling out his arrival card, but incurred no fine or other charges regarding the dog. Border Patrol assisted Lamar in organising the return of the dog to the USA, and once that was completed the matter was at a close and no further action is required.