A dog was tied to a car and then dragged three miles to its death early this morning at the Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction.

“This was an incredible act of cruelty done to a defenseless animal,” Joan Anzelmo, superintendent of the monument told The Denver Post. “It is a sickening, sickening type of crime. We are leaving no stone unturned.”

Anzelmo said tonight that, thanks to tips, authorities have focused in a specific suspect and hoped to have him in custody soon. She said that, based on information they have received, officials believe the dog had been stolen.

Anzelmo said tracks left in the snow clearly show how the crime was committed: The dog initially walked, then ran and then was dragged when it couldn’t keep up with the vehicle. It was finally dumped after it died from the dragging.

She said the German shepherd-blue heeler mix was forced to run up one of the steepest hills at the monument. During the three miles, the dog had to run on about two inches of snow, around multiple switchbacks and sharp curves and gained more than 1,000 feet in elevation before he collapsed and died.

The dog appeared to have been in good condition prior to the incident, with a thick coat of fur, she said. The animal was neutered and showed no signs of previous abuse.

The dog was found by the chief of maintenance of the monument about 4:30 a.m. today, with a silver and blue synthetic rope around its neck. Anzelmo said the employee was very upset.

The superintendent said there is quite a bit of evidence, including the tire tracks of the vehicle. She also said that it is believed that people in the area with “sharp eyes” may have seen the vehicle involved. Investigators think the incident occurred between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.

A veterinary pathologist from Colorado State University will perform a necropsy on the dog.

“We are pursing all manner of evidence,” said Anzelmo, who added that she was optimistic the culprits would be arrested. She said there is no chance the dragging was unintentional.

Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com

The Park Service has posted a crime-scene photo of the dog on it web site, ColoradoNationalMonument. Click on the “news” link on the right side of the home page, then “news releases.” Some viewers will find the photo disturbing.