Vet Told Police Suspected Puppy Strangler Appeared To Be On Drugs

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) – The Boulder Police Department has released the mug shot of a man accused of strangling a puppy.

Andrew Etzler, 24, turned himself in to the Boulder County Jail Friday.

"Animal Control officers believe Etzler strangled an 8-week-old French bulldog puppy named Genji," Kim Kobel with Boulder police said in a statement.

Genji died of his injuries.

Etzler is the boyfriend of a woman who was Genji's owner and also faces cruelty to animals charges in another case. According to police, Caitlin Brook Lesko, 24, is accused of injuring a different puppy named Bamboo.

Bamboo suffered from burns and two broken legs. The dog was treated for his injuries and has been adopted by a new family.

Police said Etzler brought Genji to a veterinarian on July 10 and the vet told police the dog's injuries were consistent with severe strangulation.

"Etzler denied strangling the puppy, but he did appear to have become frustrated and angry that the puppy had urinated and defecated in his bed," Kobel said. "He told the vet he had showered the puppy twice (once in cold water) to wash him off."

The vet told police that Etzler appeared to be on some kind of drugs when he came to the clinic with Genji.

Additional Resources

The Boulder Police Department released the following information about the case:

Anyone with information about either of these cases is asked to contact Animal Control Supervisor Janee Boswell at 303-441-4385. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.