Maui Pet Sanctuary Mourns Pig Killed For Contest Prize

A Maui animal sanctuary is grappling with the loss of their beloved mascot after a shocking case of theft and animal cruelty ended with the murder of a therapy pig for a $1,000 hunting contest prize. The sanctuary’s owner testified that “Eddie” the pig – a gentle 250-pound rescue animal who once swam with children and performed tricks – was stolen from his enclosure, hunted with dogs, killed, and then fraudulently entered into a Makawao “biggest pig” competition by two local teenagers.

Nineteen-year-old Jayden Jarnesky-Magana pleaded no contest to charges of animal cruelty, theft, and criminal property damage in connection with the May 2024 incident. Though facing a potential 10-year sentence, he received just four years of probation and one night in jail from Circuit Court Judge Kirstin Hamman, according to KITV.

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A Sanctuary Violated

Eddie’s story resonates particularly because of his journey from abuse to salvation and back again. Sarah Haynes, owner of Kitty Charm Farm in Haiku, had rescued the pig years earlier after he was found wandering in Kihei with scars and rope burns, suggesting previous mistreatment as bait for training hunting dogs.

“I adopted him and built a big enclosure and a house and a pool and all sorts of stuff,” Haynes explained to KHON2. “And I promised him a good life and that I would keep him away from that kind of treatment.”

At the sanctuary, Eddie became much more than just a pet. “Children could hug him. We swam in his pool with him. He was my treasured pet, a therapy pet to many, and he is and was always our sanctuary mascot,” Haynes told the court through tears during Wednesday’s sentencing hearing.

The violation of this promise of safety has devastated both Haynes and the sanctuary community. Court documents reveal that sometime between May 11 and May 12, 2024, Jarnesky-Magana and co-defendant Krys-Ryan Saito Carino, 20, cut through a wire fence to access Haynes’ nine-acre property and steal Eddie.

Social Media Exposes The Crime

When Haynes realized Eddie was missing and noticed the damaged fence, she immediately posted on social media seeking information. The response she received was both overwhelming and horrifying.

“And it was just video after picture after video of Eddie getting attacked, and they posted everything on Instagram of what they did,” Haynes recounted. “I received videos of dogs going after Eddie. Pictures of Eddie gutted and hung from a tree in a homemade rap music video of the two men.”

These graphic social media posts not only revealed Eddie’s fate but served as evidence for the prosecution. According to Haynes, legitimate hunters at the competition were immediately suspicious of the teenagers’ entry. “They appear just moments before the contest ends with well-over the biggest pig, because he’s grain fed, and he’s clean, and he’s neutered and they couldn’t carry him from the truck to the scale. Nobody believed him,” she explained after speaking with hunters who later contacted her.

The brazen nature of the crime shocked even experienced law enforcement officials. The perpetrators had not only stolen and killed a domestic animal but proudly documented their actions on social media, apparently believing they would face no consequences. This digital trail became crucial to building the case, with hunters from the competition reaching out to Haynes after recognizing Eddie from her social media posts about his disappearance.

Community Demands Justice

The case has galvanized Maui’s animal welfare community, with approximately three dozen protesters gathering outside the Wailuku courthouse Wednesday shouting “no excuse for animal abuse” and “protect our pets” before the sentencing hearing, according to Hawaii News Now.

“I don’t want to ruin anybody’s life,” Haynes stated before sentencing. “But what I would like to see, I would like to see a punishment. This wasn’t an innocent mistake, this wasn’t confusion about the law. This was a planned attack on my pet.”

Deputy Prosecutor Mica Metter emphasized the calculated nature of the crime, telling the court, “It was a fraud on the family who put together the hunting contest and tried to run an honest event. And it was a fraud to the other hunters who entered the contest and tried to do it the right way.”

The community response has extended beyond just the courthouse protest. Local animal rights organizations have used Eddie’s case to highlight concerns about inadequate penalties for animal cruelty offenses in Hawaii. Many advocates point out that crimes against companion animals often receive less severe sentences than comparable property crimes, despite the emotional and psychological impact on victims and the documented connection between animal abuse and other violent behaviors.

Contrition Versus Consequences

Jarnesky-Magana did not speak directly during the hearing, instead having his attorney Wendy Hudson read a prepared statement: “I would like to start by saying that I’ve made a mistake and it was not intentional. I’ve learned a lesson and I’m not a bad kid. I’ve always been a good kid and never gotten in any trouble.”

The teenager was visibly emotional during the proceeding, crying as his statement was read. Several character witnesses submitted letters on his behalf, including his 12-year-old brother who wrote, “He was always nice and he’s helpful to me. I think my brother should only get community service because he’s not a bad person. Please help him because I love my brother.”

The claim that the crime “was not intentional” struck many observers as difficult to reconcile with the evidence. Court documents show that the defendants cut through a fence to access the property, targeted a clearly domestic animal in an enclosure, transported the pig from the sanctuary, hunted it with dogs, documented the killing on social media, and then presented the carcass at a hunting competition for financial gain – actions that suggest premeditation rather than a spontaneous mistake.

Judge Hamman justified the relatively light sentence by stating, “I think that that’s appropriate. That that will teach you, hopefully deter you from engaging in any further criminal activity. And I think it sends the proper message regarding the nature of the crime that was committed.”

The Legacy Of Trauma

For Haynes, the emotional impact extends far beyond the loss of a beloved animal. She described to the court how Eddie had been rescued from previous abuse, only to suffer a similar fate despite her promises of protection. This sense of broken trust has affected not only her but the entire sanctuary community, including children who had bonded with Eddie as a therapy animal.

“His life started with cruelty, and I was determined to make that go away for life. And, unfortunately it ended the same way it started, you know, with hunting dogs,” Haynes explained, highlighting the tragic symmetry of Eddie’s life journey.

The case also raises questions about the security of animal sanctuaries in rural areas, where properties may be vulnerable to trespassing and theft. Since Eddie’s death, Haynes has invested in additional security measures for Kitty Charm Farm, including surveillance cameras and reinforced fencing, though she acknowledges the financial strain these improvements have placed on the nonprofit sanctuary.

Moving Forward With Caution

Following the sentencing, Haynes expressed mixed emotions about the outcome. “I really hope that this is enough of a lesson for him not to just act appropriately but maybe think appropriately and have some compassion and take a look at what he’s doing,” she said. “I’m glad that he left today in handcuffs and that he’s at least getting some time.”

For Kitty Charm Farm, Eddie’s legacy continues through advocacy for stronger animal protection laws and greater awareness of the sanctuary’s mission to provide safe haven for rescued animals. Haynes has channeled her grief into educational outreach, speaking at local schools about animal welfare and the importance of compassion toward all living beings.

The sanctuary has established a memorial fund in Eddie’s name, with proceeds going toward the care of other rescued farm animals and improved security measures. Community response to the fund has been overwhelmingly positive, with donations exceeding initial expectations – suggesting that Eddie’s story has touched many hearts across the island.

Meanwhile, the case against co-defendant Krys-Ryan Saito Carino continues, with a jury trial scheduled to begin on April 28. Animal welfare advocates plan to maintain a presence throughout those proceedings as well, determined to ensure that Eddie’s death leads to meaningful conversations about the treatment of animals in Hawaiian society and the proper penalties for those who harm them.

As one protestor’s sign outside the courthouse read: “Eddie deserved justice. All animals deserve protection.” For Haynes and her supporters, this principle will continue to guide their work long after the media attention fades from this particular case.

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