Doberman breeder found dead, 10 missing puppies thought to have been sold through social media: Sheriff

COLORADO: Authorities have launched a homicide investigation into the death of Paul Peavey, a 57-year-old Doberman pinscher breeder from Colorado, whose body was discovered by friends under debris near his home. Peavey’s remains were found on Saturday before noon in Idaho Springs, a town located over 30 miles west of Denver, according to a police news release.

Peavey was last in contact on the night of August 19 and was reported missing on August 21. The exact cause of his death remains unclear, and the coroner will perform an autopsy to determine how and why he died.

Bruce Boynton, who was part of the search party that found Peavey, described the harrowing scene to local NBC affiliate KUSA, saying the body was located down an embankment, covered with sticks, stones, and other debris. “Nothing that anyone wants to see in their life,” Boynton remarked.

In an interview with CNN, Boynton further explained that when he arrived at Peavey’s property, he noticed that both the home and the puppy barn were wide open, with signs of a break-in. “I’m the one that went up to the property and realized things were awry, to the point where the puppies were gone, the house was tossed, anything of value missing,” he stated.

Authorities have confirmed that several Doberman puppies are missing from Peavey’s property and may have been sold through social media or other channels since August 20. Doberman puppies can command prices ranging from $500 to $3,500, according to Doberman Planet, a resource that provides information on the breed.

Peavey’s dogs are microchipped, and the police have urged anyone who purchased a Doberman puppy in central Colorado to check for a microchip and contact the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office at 303-679-2393 or [email protected]. Additionally, authorities have asked that anyone who purchased a puppy from Peavey’s business, Elite European Dobermans, since June 2024, reach out to the Sheriff’s Office with any information.