Goldendoodle Shot by Neighbor in Florida Sparks Outrage, Investigation Underway

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A shooting at a Brevard County apartment complex has fellow dog owners shaken.

The sheriff’s office confirmed the shooting happened on November 30. One-year-old goldendoodle named Maui is in critical condition.

Neighbors, including Donnie Rouse, described the area around his apartment complex on Shadow Creek Trail as a family “safe zone,” but now he and others fear for their safety.

“Maui didn’t deserve the death penalty. You know, he didn’t deserve to be shot like that,” Rouse said.

WESH 2 News obtained the incident report from the sheriff’s office. Witnesses say the shooting happened as Maui’s owners were walking him from the Town Center Dog Park. They say Maui slipped off his leash and approached another dog. That’s when, according to witnesses, the owner of the other dog shot Maui.

The sheriff’s office confirmed both dog owners were issued citations, but no arrests were made.

“He’s (Maui) still there. We still see him. He’s just the friendliest dog. He wouldn’t hurt a fly, and he’s part of that family. I don’t understand how they can do it something like that and get rid of it,” Stephanie Avon, another local resident and dog owner.

In an update posted online, Maui’s loved ones say he underwent extensive medical care, including critical surgery to reconstruct his windpipe. The dog is still on oxygen and has blood in his lungs.

In a statement, the man who shot Maui explained in part: “I was walking my dog, Free, my Golden Retriever, south along Rodina Drive around 8 p.m. when I spotted a dog barking and extremely aggressive running towards us across the street at full speed from the Town Center Dog Park. When the dog tried to attack Free, I put myself between the two of them. I told the owner to secure. her dog, but she didn’t. I was scared. She didn’t want to catch it. When the dog couldn’t attack Free, then I became her target. Before I go any further, let me say that the level. This dog’s aggressiveness, as he roamed without limits, indicated that I was encroaching on his territory.

“I withdrew my weapon, anticipating a direct attack on myself. When the dog lunged toward me, approximately 1 foot from my person, I fired a single shot centered on its neck as I stepped back to remove my body from its mouth. How could I have shot a dog from this angle if it hadn’t jumped on me, given the height difference? It was a classic shot against an attacking animal.

However, neighbors and witnesses dispute that claim, saying the shooting was unprovoked. Many are calling for this man to be removed from the community.

“I hope some justice is served and I hope our community can feel safe walking with our dogs,” said neighbor and dog owner Angella Decker.

The investigation is ongoing. The sheriff’s office said Maui’s owners were issued a citation for not being on a leash. The other dog’s owners were cited for its county tags.