Suspect charged, 2 puppies found in Colorado dog breeder’s death

DENVER (KDVR) — A suspect has been charged and two of the 10 puppies taken from a dog breeder who was found dead have been located, according to the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office.

Paul Peavey, 57 , of Idaho Springs, was last heard from on Aug. 19 and an investigation began on Aug. 21. According to an arrest warrant, deputies visited Peavey’s property in Clear Creek County on Aug. 22 and did not find him in his camper on the property.

Charges have been filed against Sergio Ferrer, 46, of Georgetown . He faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated robbery – intent to kill/maim/wound with a weapon. He is being held without bond and is scheduled for a return filing of charges on Sept. 9.

Investigators learned Peavey had 10 of his Doberman puppies were implanted with microchips on Aug. 19.

The Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that investigators know where two of those 10 puppies are: One was purchased directly from Peavey; the second is part of the ongoing investigation, and no further information was provided.

Arrest affidavit details search for Peavey, missing items

On Aug. 24, deputies were dispatched again to the property, where a “large group of citizens” were gathered to search for the missing dog breeder. The group told deputies they found Peavey about 30 yards from the trailer, partially covered by branches and rocks. According to an arrest affidavit, Peavey was shot multiple times with a 9mm handgun.

One of the search party members spoke to deputies about Ferrer, whose daughter had been selling Doberman Pinscher puppies on Facebook. The person said they called Peavey’s cellphone and told deputies that “whoever answered it was not Peavy and seemed to have a fake accent.” The search party member said he thought the voice on the phone belonged to Ferrer.

The person also told deputies several items were missing from the camper including a group of up to 19 puppies, according to the affidavit.

Ferrer was arrested on investigation of homicide on Aug. 30, in addition to a warrant out of Nebraska.

Agents with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation conducted follow-up interviews and spoke with a person who was in a band with Ferrer. The band member said on Aug. 23, they saw Ferrer’s car with the back door open and dog crates inside and said Ferrer was holding a small Doberman.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for the house and inside found metal detectors, a 9mm handgun, two pepper ball guns, a black satchel with jewelry belonging to Peavey and a cell phone with Peavey’s name on it. Investigators also seized clothing items with possible blood and a safe, according to the arrest affidavit.

Suspect describes previous interactions with victim

On Aug. 26, CBI investigators interviewed Ferrer. Ferrer told investigators he had purchased a Doberman puppy from “an individual named Paul” for about $3,500. He also told investigators he met Peavey “years ago,” and would always admire Peavey’s Doberman.

Ferrer told investigators he had first reached out to Peavey in early 2024 about purchasing a Doberman puppy, and Peavey told him that he would tell him when there was a litter. Ferrer also told investigators on Aug. 26 that he bought the puppy “almost two weeks ago” and said he had paid Peavey a $1,000 deposit earlier this year that would go to the final cost of the puppy, which he then said was $4,000.

According to the arrest affidavit, when asked if he had any reason to hurt Peavey, Ferrer told investigators, “Not at all.”

Investigators also caught inconsistencies from Ferrer while interviewing him: At one point, Ferrer said he and his daughters went to Peavey’s property once to select their puppy. Later, he said he’d been to the property at least three other times.

Officers also asked Ferrer, after informing him Peavey had been murdered, if Ferrer had any of Peavey’s belongings. Ferrer was not told any specific items, but he told investigators “the rifle BB gun, he gave me.” Later, he told investigators that he went to Peavey’s trailer on Aug. 19 and didn’t find the dog breeder, or any dogs, but took the BB gun, dog registration papers, jewelry, Peavey’s cellphone and other items.

“I saw an opportunity, yes,” Ferrer allegedly told investigators, according to the arrest affidavit. “I saw an opportunity to take some stuff and put money in my pocket. But I didn’t do nothing to Paul.”

Suspect claims Peavey was part of drug cartel

Ferrer claimed Peavey’s property was a stash house for cartel drugs and that Peavey also sold guns. He said that Peavey asked him about missing drugs and said he had “orders” from the cartel. Ferrer claims Peavey then shot at him, so he shot back.

According to the arrest affidavit, Ferrer told investigators he took more than three puppies after shooting Peavey and also let the adult dogs outside.

The Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office is still looking for the unaccounted puppies. Anyone with information about the investigation can call the tip line at 303-670-7567, or submit the tip via email to crime_tips@clearcreeksheriff.us, or anonymously on the sheriff’s office website .

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