Minnesota deputy finds pig in swerving driver's lap

(FOX 9) - Officials in Chisago County, Minnesota are sharing a strange encounter to warn others about distracted driving.

In his 21 years as a sheriff's deputy, Sergeant Jason Foster has pulled over his fair share of distracted drivers. But, what he witnessed during a traffic stop last fall was a real boar.

"It's right up there in the top 10 of the crazy things we see," he said.

Sgt. Foster was responding to a complaint about someone driving north on I-35 near Harris having a tough time staying in their lane. But, when he stopped and approached the pickup, he learned the distracted driving wasn't being caused by a cell phone "hogging" the driver's attention as he suspected.

"It was kind of shocking. He had this 250 pound pig on his lap. In fact, it was leaning against the steering wheel he was muscling the steering wheel to keep it in its lane," he said.

Sgt Foster said there was not one, but two pigs in the picture.

The elderly driver told the deputy he was relocating to the north shore and didn't want his pets to get cold in the back of the truck.

"I snapped a photo of it because no one would believe me, but you never know what you are going to come across," Sgt. Foster said.

Rather than roast the driver, Sgt. Foster gave him a warning and sent them on their way, but even though this passenger was a bit of a ham, Sgt. Foster has a message for any other driver considering doing the same thing.

"Let the pig lay in the back or put the pig in the passenger seat, whatever. Don't drive with a pig in your lap, either."