JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Burglars took almost everything of value from a Westside home, but the biggest loss to the homeowner is what they did to her dog: they shot and killed it.

"They could have had anything in my house, but not my dogs," Julia Adams said through her tears.

A witness called police to the Grampell Drive home just after 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon when he saw three men bringing things out of the home and loading them in the trunk of a black Honda Civic.

Arriving officers found the front door standing open. When they went inside, they saw fresh blood stains on the living room and kitchen floors. They followed the trail to find one of Adams' dogs under her owner's bed, dead of a gunshot wound.

"She was sweet; she was just a wonderful, loving dog," Adams said. "She knew that there were strangers in the house. She knew what she needed to do."

Police said the home was ransacked. Among the things missing: a $2,000 television and a $1,300 computer.

But Adams told Channel 4's Adam Landau that her biggest loss was her 2-year-old bullmastiff, Cleo.

Investigators said they believe the burglars got in by smashing through a bedroom window. They found a bullet casing on the living room floor.

The witness provided a description of three men seen bringing things out of the home.

Adams said her other, much smaller dog was not hurt.

If the burglars are caught, they'll be charged with armed burglary and cruelty to animals.

Anyone with any information about the armed burglary is asked to call Crimestoppers at 866-845-TIPS.