3-20 yrs for killing dog, home invasion

KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD) - A 15-year-old will spend between three and 20 years in prison for breaking in to a Kentwood home and killing a Daschund inside.

Jonathan Castelan was sentenced Wednesday. He had been charged as an adult with animal cruelty and home invasion.

But Abel Soto, the Daschund's owner, said he believes the sentence is too light.

Castelan was arraigned in June for first-degree home invasion and unlawfully killing an animal. The Kentwood incident involved two teens breaking in to Soto's home and killing the family's 8-pound dog by breaking its neck.

Soto caught the boys inside his home and beat them with a hammer, he told 24 Hour News 8. The teens killed the dog because it was making too much noise, the suspects told Kentwood police.

Soto and his family have since gotten a new dog; Maddie is adjusting well to her new home. The family is relieved this ordeal is done.