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An NBA Star, A Bulldog And Aussie Border Police

What is it about people and their pets and air travel? Australian authorities have seized a Frenc...



An NBA Star, A Bulldog And Aus...
Other Sports

An NBA Star, A Bulldog And Aussie Border Police

What is it about people and their pets and air travel?

Australian authorities have seized a French bulldog from a US basketball player after he flew into the country with the pet in his hand luggage!

Wha?

Ex NBA star Lamar Patterson, 27, was stopped at Brisbane Airport after his dog, Kobe, was discovered by border officials.

I mean....come on!

Has this lad not watched tv shows showing how difficult it is to get Galtee rashers, Clonakilty black pudding and Barrys Tea into Oz?

Eh would you chance it after watching this?

The dog was taken into quarantine and is to be deported to the US.

As anyone who watches those shows knows, Australia has strict animal quarantine laws to prevent importing infections.

Actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard famously fell foul of Australian quarantine laws in 2015 when they smuggled their dogs, Pistol and Boo, into the country.

Patterson, who signed with Australian team the Brisbane Bullets this week, had spent "most of the morning with customs officials", the club said.

He had first boarded a domestic flight in the US on American Airlines, which allows pets on board, before connecting to a Qantas flight in Los Angeles. Qantas permits only assistance dogs in the cabin but apparantly Kobe went undetected by airline staff.

Coach Andrej Lemanis said there had been "some confusion" as Patterson had asked US airport officials about travelling with his pet. "When he got to [Los Angeles International Airport] no-one said anything to him. He went through security. Somehow he got it on the plane," Lemanis said.

Patterson, who formerly played for the Atlanta Hawks, often features his dog on social media.

Here's how you can identify if its his canine.

 

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

Got my shooter(basketball 😩) with me baby mamba 🎯

A post shared by Lamar Patterson (@lamarpatterson13) on

Thankfully it appears to be a case of all's well that ends well but don't try this kids!

 

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

Entered Australia with a bang ✈️🐶 but now that’s settled ready to get back to work!!!! #blessedbeyondmeasure

A post shared by Lamar Patterson (@lamarpatterson13) on

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