man who left dog tied outside Des Moines airport explains why [View all]
this was big story a few days ago. with no details. just that some monster left dog tied at airport. now details
EXCLUSIVE: Man, 24, faces animal neglect charges after he left his dog, Stella, tied up at Iowa airport while he caught a flight because he didnt take a kennel for the pup to travel in
He told DailyMail.com: 'I already checked in and didn't want to miss my flight. I thought if I paid for the dog on the plane they would give her a kennel. I didn't know I had to bring my own.'
Charles said he asked the driver who took him to the airport to pick up his dog and he would pay him double - but the driver was unable to. He then asked people at the airport if he could leave his pup inside.
When he wasn't able to make any progress, Charles said he tied his dog up and left her outside. He said he hoped maybe one of his friends could help him with the dog to eventually pick her up, but he wasn't able to reach them.
'I was crying when I left her because I didn't want to leave her. I bought the dog for my daughter,' he said. 'I knew someone would end up taking her.'
When airport officials saw the abandoned dog they immediately contacted Animal Rescue League of Iowa, who sent an animal control officer to retrieve the puppy.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/01/02/19/66122365-11592291-Stella_is_being_looked_after_by_animal_caretakers_after_being_fo-m-8_1672687263577.jpg)
The outside of Des Moines airport in Iowa where Stella was tied up and left on Thursday morning after her owner rushed to catch a flight to Newark, New Jersey
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/01/02/18/66122467-11592291-image-a-2_1672682598164.jpg)
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/01/02/19/66122367-11592291-Stella_will_now_get_a_new_home_after_being_left_at_the_airport_b-m-7_1672687246517.jpg)
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Stella is being cared for at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. She will be spayed and evaluated before she is placed in her forever home. Her former owner said that Stella is good with children and around other dogs
She said he can fly back to Des Moines and face the judge. 'If he pleads guilty then he will have to pay a fine,' Updegrove said, 'but if he pleads not guilty he will most likely have a trial.'
Charles also told DailyMail.com that 'he knows he made the wrong decision.' He also said he finally told his girlfriend what had happened to their Stella.
'She was angry but now things are okay. She just wants me to get another dog.'