Colo. man arrested after missing dog breeder is found shot to death

CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, Colo. (TCN) -- A 36-year-old man was taken into custody this week in connection with the fatal shooting of a dog breeder who, along with his Dobermans, went missing almost two weeks ago.

According to the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office, Paul Peavey, 57, last made contact with someone on the night of Aug. 19, and he was reported missing two days later. On Aug. 24, a private search party looking for Peavey reportedly located his body on his property. Peavey was a renowned dog breeder of Dobermans, and several puppies were reportedly missing from his residence as well. The sheriff's office said the "puppies' whereabouts are part of the ongoing investigation."

The sheriff's office said the missing puppies may have been sold via social media or other sites. Since all of Peavey's dogs are microchipped, the sheriff's office asked anyone who purchased a Doberman since Aug. 20 to check for a chip and contact them.

In an updated news release, the sheriff's office announced Peavey's cause of death is "consistent with a gunshot wound," and his manner of death is homicide. The medical examiner determined his likely time of death matched the timeline of his last communications.

Deputies arrested Sergio Ferrer on an outstanding warrant out of Nebraska, and said he was "considered a person of interest in Mr. Peavey's death." Investigators submitted an affidavit for Ferrer to be charged with first-degree murder, felony murder, and aggravated robbery.

Ferrer and Peavey's relationship was not disclosed.

Peavey owned Elite European Dobermans and won awards for his dogs.