This Little Pet Piggy Was Stopped At The CA Border And Sent Back Home

SAN DIEGO, CA — Authorities are reminding travelers that some pets aren't allowed into the United States after this little piggy was stopped at the border and sent back home.

A 63-year-old man and his granddaughter tried to cross into the country with their miniature pet pig around 8:30 a.m. Sept. 11 at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced Monday.

CBP agricultural specialists informed the travelers that live pigs are not allowed into the U.S. without a required veterinary service permit. Pigs must also be regulated as livestock to be eligible to cross into the U.S. from other countries, according to the CBP.

The pet owners voluntarily returned their pig to Mexico, officials said. No further investigation was necessary.

"While many travelers would like to cross pets of different breeds into the U.S., we must ensure from a customs perspective that we mitigate potential diseases from animals that come from other countries," said Rosa Hernandez, acting director of field operations of San Diego. "It's unfortunate that some travelers are unable to cross their pets, but we must follow USDA and CDC guidelines to protect our citizens."

African rodents, bats, nonhuman primates and civets are not permitted as pets under any circumstances, according to the CBP. Pets that are not permitted to cross into the U.S. must be sent back to their country of origin.