EL CAMPO, Texas – An El Campo family is seeking answers after their beloved pet pig, Rosie, was shot and killed in broad daylight at their home off FM 441 road.
KPRC 2 reporter Corley Peel spoke exclusively with the family, who is fighting for accountability in Rosie’s death.
The family said Rosie was more than just a pet; she weighed over 600 pounds and was a cherished member of the Janak family.
“She actually came in as a bottle-fed baby,” said Laura Janak, Rosie’s owner.
Laura described how Rosie was raised alongside her grandchildren, sleeping with them and even being house-trained.
“She could sit, she could lay down, roll over, everything—even at her size,” Laura added.
The tragedy struck on April 12 when Laura received a heartbreaking phone call from a neighbor.
“I got the phone call from my neighbor. I hate to call you, tell you this. He said, ‘Rosie, she’s dead,’” Laura recalled.
According to a neighbor, Rosie got out of the gate and was seen up the road from her house. Joe Soliz said he witnessed a truck near Rosie, firing gunshots before sunset.
“I saw a white pick-up truck, two-tone, blue and white, with a black hat rack and a black toolbox in the back,” Soliz said. “It was a four-door, newer model truck.”
Soliz attempted to call for Rosie as the truck followed her. He said someone in the truck fired at Rosie, striking her. He said she ran back to her house, but the shooter fired more rounds at her. Soliz said Rosie was struck by 3 bullets that ultimately, killed her. He heard a total of twelve gunshots during the incident.
“She literally bled out. There was no saving her, no stitching her, no pulling a bullet or two,” Laura said. “She suffered.”
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but Laura learned that the Wharton County Sheriff’s Office has opened an investigation into the incident.
“That’s not hunting. That’s pure malicious killing. She was murdered,” Laura stated.
Rosie is now buried in the family’s yard, not far from where she used to sleep.
“She wasn’t a party favor. I want justice,” Laura added, expressing her desire for accountability.
KPRC2 reached out to the Wharton County Sheriff’s Office for comment but was informed that no one was available Friday afternoon. Currently, there is no description of any suspects, but anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Wharton County Sheriff’s Office at (979) 532-1550. Texas Blessings Rescue is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest (979) 479-0627.