AR-News: (CO - US) Accused puppy killer in court Monday

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Saturday, March 13, 2004
Local News  

Accused puppy killer in court Monday by <A HREF="mailto:jellis at evergreenco.com">Jonathan Ellis</A>
    
GOLDEN - Angry humane society workers descended on a Jefferson County 
courtroom Monday, where they denounced a man who has admitted to torching three 
puppies last month.

Ryan Turtura, 19, appeared in court via a teleconference where he was charged 
with first-degree arson, second-degree arson, three counts of second-degree 
burglary and three counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. He faces 54 years 
in prison. Jefferson County sheriff's investigators arrested him last week in 
connection with stealing four puppies from an Englewood Colorado Humane Society 
shelter and burning three of them.

"This is a win of sorts," said Bob Warren, director of communications for the 
Colorado Humane Society. "The guy's in an orange suit. He's going to be in an 
orange suit for a long time, and maybe he will be in an orange suit for 20 or 
30 years."

Six humane society workers joined Warren at Monday's hearing. They vowed to 
monitor Turtura's progress through the justice system.

"These are the people who care for these animals day-in and day-out," Warren 
said while holding back tears.

"It's the core of our being, the core of our beliefs."

One worker, Carlena Diaz, said she was devastated after learning one of the 
puppies she cared for was set on fire. The puppy was seriously injured.

"It was just so horrifying," Diaz said.

Turtura declined an interview request through the Jeffco Sheriff's Office. A 
woman who identified herself as his grandmother declined to comment from her 
home Monday. Turtura's mother did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Authorities were holding him Monday in lieu of a $25,000 bond at the 
Jefferson County Jail.

Investigators arrested Turtura after his girlfriend's mother recognized him 
in a surveillance photo released to the media last week. A Walgreen's 
surveillance camera took the photo while Turtura purchased rubbing alcohol, which he 
used to ignite one of the dogs, according to an arrest affidavit.

Turtura told investigators that he burglarized the shelter on the night of 
Feb. 16, stealing two puppies and a kennel. He taped their front and rear legs 
and drove the dogs to an Arvada movie theater at 5550 Wadsworth Blvd. There, he 
doused the kennel in rubbing alcohol and set the dogs on fire, according to 
the affidavit.

One puppy died and another was seriously injured.

Turtura then returned to the shelter, stole two more puppies and drove to the 
Walgreen's at 5870 South Kipling Parkway to buy more rubbing alcohol. He took 
the dogs behind the Bally's Total Fitness Center at 8996 West Bowles Ave. and 
set a black puppy on fire, the affidavit said. That puppy died.

He dropped the second puppy after a Bally's employee came out to investigate 
a burning smell. Turtura also told investigators that he had his own dog with 
him throughout the night.

Warren credited the Jeffco Sheriff's Office with putting a potentially 
dangerous person behind bars.

"The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office did an amazing job," he said. "I've 
never seen a case closed this fast."

Deputies tracked Turtura to an apartment at 9043 W. Cross Drive, where he was 
staying with friends.

Turtura attended the Collegiate Academy, a Jeffco charter school, but did not 
graduate, said Rick Kaufman, spokesman for Jeffco Public Schools. He was not 
enrolled in school this year.

Turtura's public defender has until March 18 to request a preliminary hearing.
    
    
    


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