A veteran's dog, Harley, will soon be reunited with his human, Staff Sergeant A.J. Kirrish after she was almost deported to Jordan. On Thursday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved the dog to stay in the country. Initially, the organization denied the dog's permit due to a "mistake with her paperwork."
They met during a combat tour
According to a press release, the military veteran met the one-year-old dog when he was deployed in the Middle East on a combat tour. PEOPLE reported that "Paws of War" took care of Harley when she was still overseas. The dog received veterinary care, shots, and vaccines with the help of the nonprofit organization.
On August 24, she was on her way to be reunited with Kirrish in California. However, since the CDC found paperwork problems when she arrived at JFK International Airport, the reunion got on hold.
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On Tuesday, Kirrish posted a Facebook video saying that his dog got rejected from her entry to the US. The agency also started making plans to deport Harley back to Jordan. Kirrish said in the video that his dog means the world to them.
Saved her from torture, death, and neglect
He explained that while he was on a combat deployment overseas, he rescued her. He wanted to save Harley from torture, death, and neglect that is why he wanted to bring her home.
On Tuesday, many New York lawmakers wrote an open letter to Robert Redfield, CDC Director. One of them is Rep. Kathleen Rice, D-N.Y., who tweeted her thoughts about the rejection. They are asking him to let the poor dog into the country.
Harley, a one-year old companion dog for an American veteran, arrived at JFK airport from Jordan and is facing likely euthanasia due to a minor paperwork mistake. This is unacceptable. I’m joining the LI Delegation to demand @CDCgov intervene and save this dog’s life. pic.twitter.com/g0uDGRQoeE — Kathleen Rice (@RepKathleenRice) September 2, 2020
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American soldier being denied his dog.
If you are a proud American you must read this right now.
A.J a hero American... Posted by Paws of War on Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Lawmakers said in the letter that if they deported Harley back to Jordan, people there will euthanize her. Rep. Rice wrote that it is unacceptable for just a minor paperwork mistake. She also wrote that she is joining the LI Delegation to intervene and save Harley's life.
Reunion after quarantine
The CDC finally decided to issue a permit allowing Harley into the country on Thursday. A press release from Rice's office said that the dog will get a new rabies vaccination. She will have to be quarantined until October 2.
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Harley will be reunited with Kirrish and his wife after that. Kirrish said in a statement that words could not describe their appreciation for all the people involved. He and his wife are eternally humbled and grateful for all the hard work and support from the people who helped his dog get the permit into the country.
Kirrish also added that they are counting the days until they can finally be reunited with their little girl, Harley.
