Jonathon Espinal, Avery Russell Killed Pit Bull Puppies, Stole Guns: Cops

Teens Steal Guns, End Up Killing Puppies: Cops
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Two Florida teens looking to steal a few firearms and a pit bull ended up killing two puppies by separating them from their mother, sheriff's deputies said this week.

Jonathon Espinal and Avery Russell, both 18, are accused of breaking into a St. Augustine industrial building and stealing two guns, an adult pit-bull terrier and her ten puppies, First Coast News reported.

The two then allegedly sold the 4-week-old pups in mid-May. Eight of them were recovered after the teens' arrest this week, but the remaining two died because they were weaned from their mother too early.

People who bought the pups told officers that they bottle-fed the puppies to keep them alive, the St. Augustine Record reported.

Both face charges of animal cruelty, burglary and larceny, WOKV reported.

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