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Dog shot, killed during Virginia Beach home invasion

Two men who lived at the home were unharmed, but they said their dog was shot and killed by the suspects.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Police in Virginia Beach say a pet dog was shot dead during a home invasion and robbery early Monday morning.

Police were called to the 600 block of Liberty Bell Road shortly after 4 a.m. Two brothers who lived at the home were unharmed, but they said their dog had been shot and killed by the suspects.

Herbert Culbertson told 13News Now that the animal was his 11-year-old pitbull, named Deuce.

"He was with me 24/7 and he was always my shadow following me everywhere," Culbertson said.

According to Culbertson, around 4 a.m. he heard someone kick in his front door where his brother was.

“They had a gun to my brother on the couch," he said. Culbertson said another suspect came into his room and Deuce began barking.

"He got up and chased the guy down the hallway," Culbertson recalled. "At the same time, roughly behind him, and I heard a pop."

Culbertson and his brother were fine, but the suspects killed Deuce.

“Yeah, he saved my life. It’s just a bad way for my dog to go. Like a bullet in his head, but it could’ve been all three of us," said Culbertson.

He immediately called police. “I was shaking so much, I could hardly call 911.”

Culbertson believes Deuce is his saving grace.

“The detectives said they might have hit the wrong house and now they shot my dog. That’s my best friend, and now I’m devastated," said Culbertson.

Investigators said three suspects fled the scene on foot. No other information was immediately available.

While police work, Culbertson asks for the community to speak up. 

“Just help find the guys who did it. My dog doesn’t deserve that. Nobody does."

Police say that if you know anything about this home invasion, to please call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. Tipsters will remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest. 

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