Jean-Claude Van Damme Rescues Chihuahua Puppy From Euthanasia Following Fake Passport Row

Oct 22, 2020

Jean-Claude Van Damme shows his softer side by making an emotional plea for Reya, a chihuahua puppy who was scheduled to be euthanized in Norway after traveling with a fake Bulgarian passport in September.

After failed attempts to repatriate the pup and with the euthanasia date looming, Van Damme got involved with an emotional plea that took social media by storm. Did Van Damme get his birthday wish and save this little pup?

Why was Reya traveling all alone in the first place? There's actually an easy explanation for that. According to the Daily Mail, Reya is a chihuahua puppy that was originally born in Bulgaria but was purchased by a couple in Norway. It's fairly common for puppies to be shipped to other countries. That wasn't the issue.

The major problem was that Reya was traveling with a fake Bulgarian passport. Normally this would result in fines and other legal issues for people, but things are different for animals. Norway caught the problem and attempted to repatriate Reya, but Bulgaria's Food Safety Authority refused. There are hard rules associated with the European Union's stance on transporting live animals and they weren't willing to bend.

With one nation refusing to take Reya back and another who couldn't accept her because of the fake passport, it seemed like there was only one legal recourse available: euthanasia.

Better known for his high-flying kicks and superb martial arts, you might be surprised to hear that Jean-Claude Van Damme stepped into action. This isn't his first foray into helping furry friends in need. Van Damme has attended events like the Animals Australia charity in 2016, according to the Daily Mail.

Van Damme's birthday was on the horizon and the 60-year-old action star pleaded with his fans and the Bulgarian Food Safety Authority to rethink their position on Reya. He said it would be the best birthday present ever to save Reya's life. He even made emotional videos with his own chihuahua in his arms. Take a look and you'll see the cutest chihuahua ever.

He asked his fans to help spread the story on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and anywhere else to raise awareness. Van Damme even went as far as saying that killing a helpless puppy would be bad luck for Covid, a pandemic that the world is already struggling with.

Van Damme pulled out all the stops with his campaign. Not only did he leverage his birthday and fans, but he also pleaded directly with Bulgaria. Many of his movies were shot there and he knew that they had a soft spot in their hearts for this little puppy.

It wasn't an easy fight. Van Damme is known for having many fans and they worked to spread the story as much as possible. In the end though his gambit paid off. Van Damme and his fans were able to change Bulgaria's mind and they decided to repatriate Reya.

The Food Safety Authority changed their stance and took Reya back. Not only that, but they also agreed to get Reya medical treatment for vaccines and other wellness needs. Reya would then be held until a good family could be found for her.

While many animal advocates cheered the decision and were happy to see Van Damme get his 60th birthday wish, they also called for stricter controls on animal transportation and illegal breeding.

Reya is safe now, but this story still highlights the many problems with illegal animal transportation. Follow Van Damme's advice and tell your friends, family members, and everyone else you know about the fate that nearly befell Reya. Be sure to leave your opinion as well and say what you thought of this story.