HONOLULU -- The trial began on Wednesday in the killing of a pet pig in Mililani that has revealed weaknesses in the state's animal cruelty law.

"Porky" was born and raised as a pet. He died at the hands of dogs and a knife-wielding hunter.

"Suddenly the quiet Sunday evening was pieced by a sharp scream," Deputy Prosecutor Scott Bell said.

The scream was from Porky, a lychee-loving, docile pet, being pursued into his familiar carport by a pack of hunting dogs and Joseph Calarruda V, prosecutors said. Calarruda is accused of killing and trying to drag away the pig despite the witnesses shouting warnings.

"Mike Caballa told the defendant 'Pull your dogs off -- this is a pet pig,'" Bell said.

Calarruda said he was not even there. His girlfriend is backing his story.

"Joseph Calarruda was home with his girlfriend Rickel Silva on the other side of the island in Waianae," defense attorney Travis Stephens said.

Prosecutors said there is no doubt Calarruda was there. He was picked out of a photo lineup with his girlfriend nearby.

"He in fact was the one who killed Porky and not anyone else," Bell said.

Calarruda is not technically charged with killing Porky. He is charged with theft of livestock, a five-year felony. At the time of the killing, animal cruelty was a misdemeanor.

The way Calarruda is charged, even if the jury believes he killed Porky that does not end the case. The state must also prove that he knew someone else owned the pig and he intended to steal the carcass.