Roasted Pig Stopped by Atlanta Customs Border Protection Beagle

ATLANTA, GA — A cooked pig inside a checked piece of luggage was discovered last week by a beagle K-9 working for U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. On Thursday, CBP Agriculture Detector K-9 “Hardy” a member of the “Beagle Brigade,” alerted to the baggage of a traveler from Ecuador. Officials discovered a roasted pig head in the traveler’s baggage. The pig, weighing nearly two pounds, was seized and destroyed.

“Our best defense against destructive pests and animal diseases is to prevent the entry of prohibited agriculture products from entering the United States,” said Carey Davis, the Atlanta port director. “This seizure illustrates the tremendous expertise of our four-legged K-9 partners in protecting the United States."

Hardy, a 6-year-old rescued beagle, joined the agency in 2015 after completing training with U.S. Department of Agriculture at its National Detectors Dog Training Center in Newnan.

K9 "Hardy" joined CBP atAtlanta Airport in 2015

Pork and pork products from other continents are prohibited from entry into the U.S. to prevent the potential introduction of foreign animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease, swine fever and swine vesicular disease. When entering into the U.S., every fruit, vegetable or food products must be declared and presented for inspection, regardless of origin.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

CBP K9 "Hardy" right, admires the cooked pig he intercepted at ATL airport. All images CBP