Burglars break into home, beat dogs

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Two burglars are on the loose after robbing a South Florida home and brutally beating the pets inside.

Surveillance cameras captured the crooks in action as they stole a large flat-screen television from a Southwest Miami-Dade residence, last Monday.

According to the homeowners, who were not home at the time of the crime, the duo jumped a tall wooden fence to gain access to their property. The pair smashed a sliding-glass door to get inside the home.

The alarm never went off. "A bunch of our stuff was gone, some of our handguns were gone," said victim Kayla Harris.

The burglars also stole a revolver and a glock pistol. However, the victims are concerned about what else the burglars did during the crime. "If they just came in and took my stuff, then that's fine," Harris said, "but the fact that they beat my dogs was just horrible."

The suspects, who are described as males in their late teens or early 20s, were confronted by the family's seven dogs. They showed no mercy toward the family's pets and beat the animals, including two albino Doberman Pinschers, in order to gain access to the home.

The crooks used rocks, a piece of the wooden fence, and the dogs' own bones to fight off the animals. Harris said, "[The dogs are] traumatized. I took them to the vet. They're OK: One had a gash to his face and a puncture on his shoulder from the rocks being thrown at him, and the other one had a sprained wrist."

While the canines recover, the search is on for the merciless crooks.

Another surveillance camera captured the getaway vehicle, which police have identified as a dark blue 1992 Dodge truck. From the video, the crooks appeared to be in no rush to flee the scene, and can be seen making a U-turn and slowly driving down the street.

The victims have know taken special precautions and put up hurricane shutters to prevent another burglary from occurring. "I'm scared. I'm scared that they're gonna come back, take the rest of the stuff. I'm home a lot with my son, and I'm just scared," said Harris.

If you have any information on the identity and whereabouts of the burglars, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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