Colorado Springs police arrest man accused of shooting dog in revenge plot

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) arrested a man accused of shooting a dog for revenge.

CSPD said officers responded to a call for a domestic violence disturbance on Feb. 5, involving shots fired at the Pine Bluffs Apartments near Dublin and Rangewood in Northeast Colorado Springs.

When officers arrived at the scene they learned the suspect, identified as Ryan Longo, shot a dog five times without provocation. Multiple neighbors told KRDO13 Investigates they heard bursts of gunshots.

"I was just sitting there with my dog watching TV and I heard what sounded like a banging, like bang, bang, bang, bang," said Vicky Runcio, a resident in the apartment complex.

"I heard a pop, pop, pop," said Lori Langford, another resident of the apartment complex. "Me and my upstairs neighbor started texting each other saying, 'Did you hear that?'"

According to CSPD, the dog was being walked by a friend to its owner. The investigation revealed the dog, identified by the dog walker as Zoey, had been involved in an altercation with Longo's dog weeks prior. In court today, the prosecution said the dog had bit Longo's dog and he admitted he was purposefully trying to hurt it.

CSPD says Longo plotted revenge after that altercation and when the walker identified the dog as “Zoey” the suspect shot the dog five times. The dog died from the injuries.

Neighbors told KRDO13 Investigates the incident came as a shock because the neighborhood is typically quiet.

"I walk my dog in this complex regularly and never had any issues with other dogs or people," Langford said.

Officers contacted Longo at his residence and took him into custody without incident. He is currently in the El Paso County jail facing felony animal cruelty and harassment charges. CSPD told KRDO13 Investigates it has never investigated an incident like this before.

Longo was in court Tuesday for an advisement hearing. During the hearing, a judge increased his bond from the initial $3,000 to $10,000 cash, surety or property.

"I find that you are a danger to the community, both people and animals," the judge said.

Longo was also issued a protection order, which says he can't reside with or own any animals. He also can't own any weapons.

"I'm glad he's where he needs to be now," Runcio said. "It's not okay to do that to anybody or anything or any animal."