A 37-year-old Colorado man was arrested Thursday in connection with the dragging death of a dog at Colorado National Monument.
A release from the monument said rangers arrested Steven Clay Romero, of Grand Junction, Colorado,at approximately 12:25 p.m. in Mesa County (Colorado) Courthouse. Mr. Romero was charged initially with a felony charge of aggravated cruelty to animals, the release said.
Park rangers believe the man took the dog, Buddy, a German Shepherd-Blue Heeler mix, stolen by others from Delta, Colorado, to Colorado National Monument in the early morning hours of December 30 and attached him to his truck and dragged him for 2 miles up the west hill of Rim Rock Drive with a rope tied around the dog's neck. The dog died of strangulation and was dumped at the roadside, the park said. A National Park Service employee discovered the gruesome scene at 4:30 a.m. on December 30.
A crime tip line was initiated and the tips received were key in leading park rangers and other law enforcement personnel to the suspect. Mr. Romero was appearing in court in Grand Junction on Thursday on other, unrelated, charges and was arrested as he exited the courtroom, the park release said.
The investigation is continuing and additional information will be provided when it becomes available.
Story Categories:
A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.
Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:
- Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
- Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
- Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
- North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
- Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
- Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
- Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.
National parks and their natural resources belong to you. The National Parks Traveler works to ensure you know how these essential places are being cared for.
Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter
Unsubscribe at any time.
INN Member
The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.
Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.
Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.
You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.
Comments
IF he's guilty, there can't be a penalty strong enough for anyone who does this to an animal.
I suppose "an eye for an eye" as the Biblical guidelines state would be too much to ask......
I CANNOT EVEN fathom the thought process that led to this despicable act.
Luther, unfortunately I thought about the same scene from National Lampoons Vacation when I read the original article. The big difference though is that I didn't laugh cause I have a heart. Laughing at a crime like this is almost just as bad as committing it. I'm glad that they caught the guy so quickly.
I am so glad he was caught! I hope the punishment is severe. How can anyone be so cruel!
It is hard to have compassion for a pathetic loser such as this person. To take a poor innocent creature that had done nothing to him and subject it to such cruelty makes this piece of trash sub-human. Even if the dog had bit him, it still did not deserve to be treated in such an abhorrent manner. Anyone who subject an animal to such violence will also treat children and partners the same. I hope he has not, and never, procreates; that would be truly a tragedy!
Looks like good police work involved in this case. I would like to know what other crimes Mr. Romero was charged with. If convicted, let the crime fit the punishment harshly.
The harsher...the better!
if found guilty, give him to me. i will drag him back to michigan for you ! please keep us all informed of trial results. if the judge lets him off with anything less than the maximum, i will be glad to drag the judge back to michigan too !
the article says "stolen by others". did they catch these "others"? i hope so. and i hope they too get the maximum punishment allowed by law.
They say that cream rises to the top; well, so does scum. Just think, right now he's fouling up someone's nice clean jail. This man is well on his way down the Road to Perdition, and I hope he will be doomed to picking up all its roadkill. (I could think of stronger curses but generally this is a civilized forum.)
Let me take care of Romero. I have a pickup.
The punishment should be EQUAL to the suffering of the animal. Tie him to the back of a car and drive faster and faster up the hill and drag him to his death. Let him feel the terror and pain the animal felt at his hand. We have been far to forgiving to people who harm animals. I believe in equal abuse for those who abuse animals.
Folks, some of the comments to this story are starting to push the envelope, so we're going to put a halt to them. While we all agree this was an atrocious, despicable incident, let's let the legal process run its course.