Police in Colorado hope a pack of missing purebred Doberman puppies may hold the key to solving the suspicious death of a decorated dog breeder, an “unusual case” that has stunned the dog-loving community, one expert said.
Paul Peavy, 57, was found dead on his 110-acre property in Idaho Springs on Saturday by a search party led by concerned family members.
The family's three dogs were taken unharmed to a local animal shelter, but sheriff's office spokeswoman Jenny Fulton said Wednesday that the litter of about 10 recently born puppies was nowhere to be found.
Police believe the microchipped animals were being sold on social media. Anyone who has purchased a Doberman puppy in the Colorado area since Aug. 19, when Peebee was last seen alive, is asked to contact police or take the animal to a shelter or veterinary clinic where it can be scanned.
“This is a very unusual case and it took us by surprise,” American Kennel Club spokesperson Brandi Hunter Munden told Fox News Digital. “This doesn't happen very often. This is not a sport. It's tragic that this man lost his life, especially since he dedicated his life to dogs. This is not typical behavior of a dog breeder. This is clearly unusual.”
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Paul Peavy, 57, was last heard from on the evening of August 19 and was found dead on the grounds of his Idaho Springs home on August 24. (Facebook/Elite European Doberman)
Fulton said Peavy delivered two litters of puppies this summer, and anyone who has purchased animals directly from Peavy's Elite European Doberman division since June is asked to contact Clear Creek County detectives, who “will help,” the department wrote in a social media post. [them] We'll find out how many puppies are missing.”
“We have received over 40 calls related to this investigation, and 25 of those are related to puppies,” Fulton said. “Of those, we believe there are around six individuals who purchased puppies from Paul.”
Police have not disclosed Peavy's condition when she was found, saying only that her death appears to have been foul play. Fulton said more information would be released after an autopsy is performed.
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When Peebee was found dead, 10 Doberman puppies were also missing from his property – all microchipped, and detectives hope they will be found and provide a clue to the cold case. (Facebook/Elite European Doberman)
“We haven't yet reached a conclusion as to a motive,” Fulton said.
Police do not believe there is any danger to the public, police said in a press release.
According to the FACE Foundation (Foundation for Animal Protection and Education), “dog flipping,” the practice of stealing expensive dogs and selling them on Craigslist for a profit, is on the rise in many parts of the United States.
Although rare, breeders have been victims of mass thefts of purebred dogs. For example, in 2022, burglars broke into the home of a dog breeder on Long Island, New York, and According to ABC7: Five French bulldog puppies and two adult dogs were stolen.
“Typically dog thefts happen quickly because the dogs are outside and separated from their owners, but you don't typically hear about breeders being targeted in this way,” Munden said.
Paul Peavy is pictured with his prized stud, Jax Von Maximus, at the Colorado Kennel Club show in February 2024. (Facebook/Elite European Doberman)
Munden said victims in dog-running incidents are generally targeted ahead of time.
“There are people who are aware that they are getting puppies or expensive breeds. There are people who need to be careful,” she said.
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Dog trainer Tom Davis told Fox News Digital that purebred Dobermans sell for between $1,000 and $5,000.
Peavy doesn't list prices for his dogs on his website, but he lists the stud fee for his prized male dog, Jax Maximus Von Zipper, at $7,500.
