A dead pig nearly started a war between the US and Britain, and only the pig died

In 1859, an American farmer shot a British-owned pig rooting in his garden on a disputed island between Washington state and Canada. Both nations rushed troops and warships to the island in response, but commanders on both sides refused to fire, and the 'war' ended in a bloodless 12-year joint military occupation.

— US National Park Service historical records, Pig War (1859) — San Juan Island, 1859–1872