A Georgia family is grieving after neighbors allegedly gunned down a 12-year-old boy’s beloved therapy pig and tried to butcher her for food, destroying the animal that helped the child cope with autism and gain confidence.

Nearly every day, Garrett Cox would feed, bathe, and run alongside Bootsy, the 400-pound pig who helped the shy 12-year-old build confidence after years of struggling with ADHD and autism, according to his family.

The pig, who celebrated her first birthday in March, had become part of the family after they joined Future Farmers of America (FFA), a program that helped transform the boy’s life.

The family said Garrett poured himself into raising the pig, caring for her every day on their Georgia property, and training her for FFA competitions, where the pair earned ribbons together at livestock shows.

Over time, they watched the quiet boy grow more social and confident as he built a connection with Bootsy.

“As Bootsy grew, love grew,” Garrett’s mother, Kerrie Cox, told Fox 5 Atlanta, adding that her son’s confidence went “through the roof” after bonding with the animal.

Bootsy shot and killed

On April 30, a heartbreaking situation unfolded after Bootsy escaped from her pen and wandered away from the family’s property.

Garrett’s father, Matt Cox, said he stepped outside to put the pig away for the night when he realized she was missing from the property. A short time later, he heard a gunshot and followed the disturbing sound to a nearby home.