Boulder County looks for man accused of animal cruelty

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office has issued an arrest warrant for George Bernard Benyard. 

Benyard is 28 years old and is accused of aggravated cruelty to animals and tampering with physical evidence, both class 6 felonies, according to a news release from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.

Benyard allegedly killed his dog — assumed to be an adult pit bull. Through an investigation, deputies heard from acquaintances that his bathroom resembled a “murder scene” and showed them a photo of “a very bloody bathroom,” according to the news release. He also allegedly asked for help disposing of the dog’s body.

On Sept. 18, the Boulder County SWAT team served Benyard a search warrant and questioned him and his wife about the incident while investigators searched the property for evidence.

The investigators discovered the dog under a bush on the property, which Benyard denied knowing anything about its existence or how it was killed, according to the release.

The necropsy report on the dog revealed that it had been recently killed and had suffered traumatic injuries that were not caused by an accident or another animal. 

Digital evidence determined that the dog was likely Benyard’s who had three other dogs in his home at the time of the investigation. Those dogs were removed and placed into protective custody on Sept. 18. 

On Oct. 5 an arrest warrant was issued for Benyard, however, his whereabouts are unknown at this time.

If you have any information about this case 23-05108, please contact the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office at 303-441-3600.