JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ohio -- A couple came home to find someone had beaten their puppy to death and robbed them, and Wednesday night police had 2 suspects in custody.

The dog’s caregiver told NEWS9 that while she was relieved a suspect is now in custody, she and her boyfriend are still mourning the loss of their puppy.

Annette McConnell said the memories are still clear as day.

Three weeks ago, her boyfriend, Norman Taylor, came home from work and headed to the garage to check on his new puppy.

"Norman had come home and went to feed the dog like he usually does,” said McConnell. "He went to the back of the building, but the doors were already open. They had broken the cable and come in."

McConnell said her boyfriend noticed his brand new ATV was missing, and then made a terrifying discovery.

His Beagle puppy, “Bugs,” was lying dead near his doghouse.

"He was devastated,” said McConnell. "He was training him to be a rabbit-hunting dog. He was just at the fun age, had a real personality, a cutie."

Police arrested 22-year-old Neil Rager of Rayland.

Officers also arrested a 17-year-old high school student, who they say was bragging to classmates about the beating.

According to the police report, there was a pipe lying in the garage.

The report stated that: "It appeared that someone struck the dog in the head with the pipe."

"I'd just like to take him and tie him up and beat the hell out of him with a lead pipe,” said Sheriff Fred Abdalla. “I'm just upset about it and have been ever since this happened. The dog was tied and wasn't coming after him."

"We think they just killed the dog out of spite,” said McConnell. “He wouldn't have bothered them. He would've been barking because he probably wanted to play."

McConnell said while she was happy police made arrests, it won’t bring the puppy back.

"You really don't get over it for a long time," said McConnell.

-Natalie Pasquarella, NEWS9