Pet Pug Was Kidnapped, Killed
While Owner Was Away — and
Owner Thinks He Knows Why

Pet Pug Was Kidnapped, Killed While Owner
Was Away
Two Maine men are accused of killing a 6-
year-old pug mix after kidnapping him from
their former boss, PEOPLE confirms.
On Tuesday morning, Nathan Burke, 37, and
Justin Chipman, 22, turned themselves into
the Hancock County Jail after warrants were
issued for their arrest, authorities announced
on Facebook. Both formerly worked as stern-
men on the dog’s owner’s fishing boat — and
the owner tells PEOPLE he considered both
friends.
The suspects were each charged with burglary,
aggravated cruelty to animals, aggravated
criminal mischief, unauthorized use of
property and theft by unauthorized taking or
transfer, authorities announced.