A Georgia family claim their son's beloved therapy pig was shot dead on their street by hungry neighbors.
Garrett Cox, 12, has been left heartbroken ever since the death of his 400-pound hog Bootsy.
The two were closely bonded, as Garrett relied on her to help manage his ADHD and autism, according to his mom Kerrie Cox.
But horror struck last week after the family realized Bootsy had escaped from her pen at their home in Hoschton, a rural town located 50 miles northeast of Atlanta.
Garrett's father Matt Cox said he heard a gunshot shortly after and the family followed the sound to their neighbors' home.
They claimed they found Bootsy dead beside a pot of boiling water and the neighbors wearing aprons which lead them to believe they planned to eat Bootsy.
Kerrie told Fox 5 Atlanta that she asked one of them: 'Why would you do this? You knew she was our pig,' only to be met with laughter and derision.
Police have now arrested three people in connection with the case. Mai Kia Vang-Moua, 54, Maysy Moua, 59, and Kee Moua, 33, all face aggravated animal cruelty charges.
Garrett Cox, 12, has been left heartbroken after his beloved therapy pig Bootsy was shot to death
Garrett was struggling at school and relied on Bootsy to help him manage his ADHD and autism, with the two entering competitions together
Matt Cox, pictured beside his wife Kerrie Cox, said his son has been devastated since Bootsy was killed
Cox said Garrett and Bootsy were inseparable as the boy devoted himself to feeding, bathing and playing with the animal in their backyard.
She said her son was struggling at school but had recently found purpose by training Bootsy for competitions with the Future Farmers of America group.
'As Bootsy grew, love grew,' Kerrie told Fox 5 Atlanta, adding that her son's confidence had gone 'through the roof' thanks to the animal.
Her husband said it appeared Bootsy had been restrained before being killed at close range.
'There was a rope with blood on it beside her body,' Matt told WSB-TV.
Police said the three neighbors told investigators they thought the pig was wild.
But the Cox family has pushed back against this, saying Bootsy had a livestock ear tag which clearly identified her as a farm animal.
Matt Cox said he believes Bootsy was killed at close range after being restrained
The Cox family said they believe Bootsy was killed by neighbors who planned to eat him
Police said three people - Mai Kia Vang-Moua, 54, Maysy Moua, 59, and Kee Moua, 33 - have been arrested and are due to face aggravated animal cruelty charges. They are pictured above
'This is someone who had purpose in what they were doing,' Kerrie told WSB-TV.
Matt said his son has been devastated since. 'Of course, he started crying. It's been very up and down since,' he told Fox 5.
'I miss her so much,' Garrett told WSB-TV.
The family has laid Bootsy to rest close to the barn where she used to live.
If convicted, the suspects could each be sentenced to up to five years in jail and a fine of up to $15,000.