Two Grosse Ile High lacrosse players accused of slitting a guinea pig’s throat and hitting it with a bat were arraigned on felonies Monday, authorities said.
Grosse Ile High School
Tanner Coolsaet, 18, and Michael Roth, 17, of Grosse Ile are each charged with two counts of felony animal cruelty — killing or torturing animals and conspiracy to kill or torture animals, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.
Michael Roth.
They’re accused of bringing a box with the animal inside to a team meeting at 11:30 a.m. April 30 before a lacrosse game.
“Coolsaet had a knife and slit the guinea pig’s throat. Roth grabbed the guinea pig and struck it with a small bat. The animal died shortly thereafter,” according to the news release.
The teens were arraigned in Woodhaven District Court on the felony charges, which carry a maximum penalty of four years in prison.
Tanner Coolsaet.
“The alleged facts in this case illustrate much more than a youthful prank or a pregame antic. We must take these cases seriously,” Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a news release.
Both Coolsaet and Roth posted $5,000 personal bond and are scheduled for probable cause conferences at 9 a.m. July 26, and preliminary examinations at 11 a.m. Aug 2. Their bond conditions include not consuming alcohol or controlled substances and not purchasing or acquiring animals or pets. They have a daily curfew set from 11:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., according to the prosecutor’s office.
The families of the two teens did not respond to Free Press requests for comment on Monday.
Contact Robert Allen @rallenMI or rallen@freepress.com.
