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News from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
HAWTHORNE, Fla. – A resident of Hawthorne reached out to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, May 22, 2026, to report the tragic death of their pet, Gemma, a Vietnamese Potbellied Pig, after she wandered from their property.
Deputies responded to the call and discovered that Gemma had disappeared from her home located in the 21600 block of SE 65th Avenue on the morning of Thursday, May 21, 2026. Concerned about her disappearance, the owner turned to social media to gather information about her potential whereabouts. Through these online efforts, they learned that Gemma was last spotted near Shell Elementary School.
In the search efforts on May 21st and 22nd, the pig’s owners encountered a witness who revealed that a man, later identified as the suspect, had requested help in disposing of a pig’s remains. The witness, who regularly deals with animal carcasses as part of their job, assumed the remains were from a legally hunted feral hog. Unaware that the animal was a beloved pet, the witness proceeded to dispose of the carcass legally.
Upon realizing the remains could be those of Gemma, the witness aided in retrieving them. The owners were able to confirm the remains were indeed Gemma’s, and they were subsequently returned to the grieving family.
The investigation was assigned to Deputy P. Koon, of ASO’s Animal Services Division. Through interviews and evidence gathered during the investigation, detectives determined that Gemma had left her owners’ property and wandered onto land that the suspect had access to.
Based on the facts established during the investigation and the applicable provisions of Florida law, the suspect was charged by sworn complaint with Petit Theft. The charging documents have been submitted to the State Attorney’s Office for review.
We recognize that many members of the community, particularly pet owners, may find this outcome difficult and may question why additional charges were not filed. Gemma was clearly a beloved companion, and her death has had a profound impact on her family.
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office conducted a thorough investigation into this incident and carefully evaluated all potential criminal violations. However, law enforcement officers can only pursue charges that are supported by the evidence and authorized under Florida law. Investigators determined that animal cruelty charges were not applicable under the circumstances of this case because the evidence indicated the pig was harvested under the belief that it was a feral hog and not a domesticated pet.
While the legal outcome may not align with every person’s expectations, our responsibility is to investigate the facts objectively and apply the law as written. We extend our condolences to Gemma’s family and appreciate the community members who assisted in providing information during the investigation.