STANLY COUNTY -- Two dogs were shot and killed during a home break-in in Stanly County Monday following a rash of crime in the area.
Kelly Hooks is still in shock that her dogs were senselessly killed in a closed-off room in broad daylight.
Kelly's boyfriend Cody came home and found the two dogs, eight-month old Husky "Nova" and three-year old Rottweiler mix "Rucker," shot.
"They don't realize what they took from us," Kelly said after calling the dogs her babies. "They could've taken the whole house. I wouldn't have cared if they took everything in the house if they would've just left them alone."
Deputies are investigating if the break-ins in the area are connected.
"If they'll take an innocent dog's life, what could happen next? That's why we're taking this case so serious," said Sheriff George Burris.