A beagle who works at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia was able to sniff out something unusual — a roasted pig, or lechon to Filipinos.
The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said on Monday, Oct. 15 that the beagle named Hardy alerted officials of a baggage from the unnamed traveler from Ecuador. Upon inspection, officials uncovered the pig from the luggage.
The two-pound pig was later seized and disposed.
“Our best defense against destructive pests and animal diseases is to prevent the entry of prohibited agriculture products from entering the United States,” CBP Area Port Director for the Port of Atlanta Carey Davis said. “This seizure at Atlanta illustrates the tremendous expertise of our four-legged K-9 partners in protecting the United States.”
A photo of Hardy looking at the roasted pig was then shared on the U.S. CBP’s Twitter account on Tuesday, Oct. 16.
Check Out this Cooked Pig that @CBP K9 "Hardy" intercepted at @ATLairport Our "Beagle Brigade" is on the Front Line Keeping You Safe. read more https://t.co/KGiY2BPbCM #ATL #Atlanta #Canine #K9 pic.twitter.com/hNtaqb07pB
— CBP Southeast (@CBPSoutheast) October 15, 2018
According to the CBP, the roasted pig was confiscated since pork and other pork products from other continents are banned from entry in the U.S. This is to prevent diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and swine vesicular disease, among others, from spreading in the country. JB
RELATED STORIES:
Serving ‘lechon, pancit’ could be vote-buying
Cebu’s new ‘lechon’ with a twist