Rare Puppies Stolen, Couple Attacked, Dog Stomped In Auburn Home Invasion
BOSTON (CBS) – Auburn police are looking for two masked men who assaulted an Auburn homeowner and then stole two valuable puppies.
Police are trying to piece together a violent confrontation that occurred when the Wittier Street homeowner came out of his house to run an errand and was attacked.
"The suspects took his house keys from him, entered the home and attacked his wife, grabbing her hair and throwing her to the ground," said Auburn Police Chief Andrew Sluckis.
Police say the suspect eyed a litter of eight puppies grabbing two of them, pit bull terrier breeds known as American Bullies, worth at least $2,500.
"We believe they may have gone there for another reason we can't elaborate on," said Chief Sluckis. "As a result of the altercation they stole the dogs."
In the meantime, the homeowner ran to a next door neighbor for help.
"Knocking at the window frantically, he was bloodied. He said someone is stealing my dogs," said the neighbor, who did not want to be identified.
The victim of the home invasion is known to run a breeding business 508bullies.com.
Several cages fill the backyard and police are now investigating whether it's a licensed operation.
The masked men also stomped on a dog, a Pomeranian, belonging to the victim's wife.
"We had a rough night here, I don't want to talk about it," she told reporters.
Police say the dog suffered a traumatic brain injury. They also said the victim knew his attackers, but that doesn't ease the concerns of neighbors.
"If they can just break into a house and assault some that's pretty serious," one neighbor said.