Teens break in to home, kill Daschund

KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD) - Two teenagers broke in to a Kentwood house and killed the family's miniature Daschund by breaking its neck, the homeowner told 24 Hour News 8 on Tuesday.

Abel Soto left his Jefferson Avenue home for just more than 10 minutes, he said, and when he returned, things in his home were ajar and he found two teenagers inside.

"I had to run to the bank to cash a check," he said. "(I) was gone 12, 11 minutes and found two kids in the house. They had broken in."

Soto cornered the 17-year-olds in the bathroom, and hit them with a hammer when they tried to push him out.

"They had blue bandanas and hoods over their face, so alls I thought was, gang members," he said. "I took a hammer to them and started beating the crap out of them."

His family is still shocked over the Monday incident, and the loss of their 8-pound dog, Pinto.

"He was on our bed, with his neck snapped -- bleeding," Soto said. "It's the crime against animals. I mean, in broad daylight, they're breaking into homes. And killing the family pets? It's like our children. They're like our kids."

The teens tried to take some jewelry and other items, which the couple recovered.

The teens face charges of home invasion and animal cruelty, the Kentwood police chief said. Vicki Seidl of the Kent County Prosecutor's Office told 24 Hour News 8 there is no decision on whether the teens, both under 17, will be tried as adults. In similar cases, she said, the juveniles could be waived to adult court depending on their ages.

"Any home invasion case where a homeowner is present is considered serious," Seidl said. "There will be a formal charge and the suspects will not simply be given a slap on the wrist."

An adult home invasion charge is a felony that carries a possible 20-year prison term.