Full Breakdown
ICE Detention Leaves Two Dogs Locked in Oklahoma Apartment for a Week
6/23/2026, 11:25:39 PM
The Incident: Dogs Abandoned After ICE Arrest
In January 2026, ICE agents detained a resident of an Oklahoma apartment and failed to notify animal-control officials that two pet dogs remained inside. The dogs were discovered a week later, huddled in a corner of a room whose furniture had been chewed and trashed. An anonymous animal-welfare field officer rescued the animals, transported them to a shelter, and reported that both appeared severely stressed and likely starving.
Background: ICE Pet Policy and Kristi Noem’s Tenure
The detention occurred while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was led by former Secretary Kristi Noem, who has been nicknamed “ICE Barbie.” In her memoir *No Going Back*, Noem described shooting her 14-month-old wirehaired pointer, Cricket, writing “I hated that dog.” DHS previously stated that “ICE does NOT impound property,” and offered no formal protocol for pets left behind after arrests.
Data on Pet Abandonments and Shelter Outcomes
St. Paul Animal Services recorded a 38 percent increase in stray, seized, and surrendered cats and dogs in January 2026 compared with the prior year, a rise linked to Operation Metro Surge in the Twin Cities. In Los Angeles, dog surrenders more than tripled in a single week last June. The rescuing officer noted that 85-90 percent of animals taken in by his team are adopted or placed in no-kill rescues.
Official Statements & Agency Responses
A DHS spokesperson told The Daily Beast that ICE provides “every opportunity to arrange care for their pets after their arrest. They are afforded the opportunity to reach out to a neighbor or family member who can care for the pet.” The spokesperson added that individuals may “self-deport” using the CBP Home app to keep their pets. The agency also could not locate records of the specific case. Law-enforcement policy requires a call to animal control when arresting someone with pets, a step that was not taken in this instance.
Criticism & Opposition: Animal-Welfare Officer’s Account
The officer, who posts under “Animal Welfare Guy,” criticized the handling of the dogs, stating that ICE “deported the owners and then left, with the animals locked in the apartment for about a week.” He emphasized that his complaint is not political, noting prior criticism of county sheriffs for refusing aid to an injured horse. He concluded, “It [the dog] very well may have needed it, but it shouldn’t have happened like that.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “ICE deported the owners and then left, with the animals locked in the apartment for about a week,” — Animal Welfare Guy, animal-welfare field officer
- “It [the dog] very well may have needed it, but it shouldn’t have happened like that.” — Animal Welfare Guy
- “I hated that dog,” — Kristi Noem, former DHS Secretary, *No Going Back* memoir
- “every opportunity to arrange care for their pets after their arrest. They are afforded the opportunity to reach out to a neighbor or family member who can care for the pet.” — DHS spokesperson
- “by choosing to self-deport, illegal aliens can ensure they get to keep their pets.” — DHS spokesperson
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
DHS asserts that detainees are offered pet-care options, yet the Oklahoma case shows no such arrangement was provided. The agency’s claim that ICE does not impound property conflicts with the reality that the dogs remained unattended on agency-controlled premises. Additionally, DHS could not identify the case when queried.
What’s Next: Calls for Policy Review and Ongoing Care for the Dogs
The rescued dogs are now housed at a local shelter pending adoption. The incident has prompted animal-welfare advocates to demand clearer DHS guidelines for pet care during ICE operations and may lead to internal reviews of compliance with existing animal-control protocols.
