10 missing Doberman puppies could be connected to breeder's death: Police

Police in Colorado are searching for the whereabouts of ten Doberman puppies in connection with the death of a local dog breeder.

Paul Peavey, 57, was found dead Saturday after being missing for several days, according to the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office. Peavey, a breeder of Doberman service dogs near Idaho Springs, Colorado, was last seen on Aug. 19 and was reported missing to authorities on Wednesday, Aug. 21, by Bruce Boynton, one of Peavey's closest friends.

The circumstances of Peavey's death remain unclear and no arrests have been made as of Tuesday.

However, investigators are focusing on finding the ten missing puppies, which they believe could be crucial to solving the case.

“It has been reported that many Doberman puppies were missing from Mr. Peavey's property. The whereabouts of the puppies is part of the ongoing investigation. Additionally, investigators have not yet determined a motive for Mr. Peavey's death,” the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post Monday.

The sheriff's office added: “We can confirm that many puppies are missing, possibly as many as 10, and we are asking for the public's help… Locating Mr. Peavey's missing puppies could also help solve his murder.”

Newsweek reached out to the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office via email on Tuesday seeking comment.

The puppies, born in mid-July, were raised at Peavey's Elite European Dobermans facility. Police say each of the missing puppies is microchipped so they can be traced back to Peavey's facility.

The sheriff's office suspects the puppies may have been sold online or through social media platforms since Peavey's disappearance on August 20. It is urging anyone who purchased a Doberman puppy from the central Colorado area in the past week to come forward, adding: “We may then be able to determine if the puppy was Mr. Peavey's.”

In addition, authorities urged anyone who has purchased a puppy from Elite European Dobermans since June to contact them. This will help determine the exact number of missing puppies.

“Please contact us when you have received the puppy you purchased or if you have not received it. This will help us determine exactly how many puppies are missing,” the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office said.

In an update shared on Facebook on Tuesday, the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office said they had received several tips about the puppies, including one about a Craigslist ad for Doberman puppies, but said the breeder was cooperating and was not involved in the case.

“Please note that the Craigslist ad for Doberman puppies in the Colorado Springs area is genuine. The breeder on this site has cooperated with investigators and is in no way involved in this case,” the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office said.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the puppies or Peavey's murder is asked to call (303) 679-2393, email [email protected] or remain anonymous by using the sheriff's office website.

This article contains reporting from The Associated Press.