Alachua County deputies investigate death of pet pig in Hawthorne

Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies confirmed to TV20 on Tuesday that they are investigating the apparent death of a pet pig near Hawthorne
Published: May 26, 2026 at 12:26 PM EDT

HAWTHORNE, Fla. (WCJB) - Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies confirmed to TV20 on Tuesday that they are investigating the apparent death of a pet pig near Hawthorne.

Sheriff’s deputies say they are interviewing witnesses after Coty Mulkey reported her pet pig Gemma had gone missing, and someone had killed the animal.

Deputies are working to determine who is responsible and whether they broke any laws. Charges could include unlawful disposal of a dead animal and killing an animal.

RELATED: Family’s pet pig found dead days after disappearing in Hawthorne

Mulkey told TV20 on Sunday that Gemma spent nearly ten years with the family as a pet and was very friendly. This weekend, someone told Mulkey the pig was dead and had been disposed of.

“I guess somebody thought it was a good idea to have a Memorial Day barbecue with my baby, and so we got what was left of her back,” Mulkey said. “We got her head back and a bag of her guts back.”

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