GROSSE ILE, Mich. – Two members of the now-disbanded Grosse Ile High School lacrosse team face animal cruelty and torture charges after a guinea pig was killed.
Michael Roth, 17, and Tanner Coolsaet, 18, are accused of killing the animal April 30 before a game. The varsity lacrosse team met that morning where Coolsaet arrived with the guinea pig in a box, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. Coolsaet is accused of slitting the animal's throat with a knife. Roth is accused of then grabbing and hitting the animal with a bat. The guinea pig died shortly after.
"The alleged facts in this case illustrate much more than a youthful prank or a pre-game antic. We must take these cases seriously," said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
Here is a statement from the Grosse Ile School District:
On May 9, 2016, the Grosse Ile School District received information that one or more members of the District’s lacrosse team engaged in cruelty to an animal. The allegations related to the incident have resulted in the lacrosse season competitions being suspended by the District, pending the outcome of the investigations by law enforcement and the School District. At the request of law enforcement, the School District is holding its investigation in abeyance until law enforcement has completed its investigation." -- Joanne Lelekatch, superintendent.
Coolsaet and Roth both face two counts each of killing and torturing an animal and conspiracy to commit killing and torturing of an animal. They were arraigned Monday.
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