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Morro Bay man shoots his dog

August 20, 2014

handcuffA Moro Bay man was arrested Monday for shooting and killing his dog, according to a press release.

Shortly after 6 p.m., Morro Bay police officers responded to reports of shot fired near the 300 block of Java Street. Police discovered one dog dead from multiple gun shots, another dog injured and the daughter of the property owner suffering from minor injuries.

Stephen Griley, 60, told police he had attempted to separate his two dogs, which were fighting, with the help of his adult daughter. During the altercation, one of the dogs bit his daughter.

After separating the animals, Griley brought out a firearm and shot and killed one of his dogs. The other dog was suffering from multiple injuries inflicted by the now deceased dog.

Officers arrested Griley and booked him into the San Luis Obispo County Jail on charges of cruelty to animals, negligent discharge of a firearm and possession large capacity magazine.


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Can NOT believe this guy was arrested! He did what was appropriate under the scary circumstances. The dog was attacking!

Know a lady in the Bay Area, last year, an intruder entered her gated yard with police following. Her dog was tied up at the time while the gardener was there. She was in the back yard also. Cop comes in the gate, dog barks, dog gets shot! RWCPD justified the shooting!! So what makes this MB case a crime and not the owner being a responsible owner?


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It will be interesting to hear what facts come forth in this case. STANDARD capacity magazines over 10 rounds are not illegal to posses if they were bought before the ban imposing RESTRICTED capacity magazines upon Californians. Further, the “mistake” that seems apparent from the article is whether or not the animal posed a safety risk “after separating the animals” (if that is accurate fact). This could go either way.


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Also, it is my understanding that large capacity magazine possession has a 3-year statute of limitations, so they would have to prove that this person acquired the magazine within the last 3-years. That charge will likely get dropped. Cops regularly shoot dogs that act aggressively, so I don’t fault the guy for taking action.


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Morro Bay dogs have had it too easy for too long.


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I was bitten earlier this year, tore through my pant leg, a big ugly scar….not fun. I hope the dog was ‘put down’ , but I was never told by animal control.


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Notice that AFTER the dogs were separated, this man went in to get the firearm to execute the dog. Multiple shots (8 rounds I heard) shot off in a very tight residential neighborhood where someone else could have been injured. His adult daughter, who sustained minor injuries is said to be a dog trainer. It’s not logical to think that you can place yourself between 2 large dogs (a Pitbull and a Rottweiler) that are fighting and NOT get injured. I walk by this house on a regular basis..these dogs seemed to be buddies and likely good pets, but dogs fight and big dogs fight scary. Never try to get between fighting animals. The manner in which the dog was killed is very sad and disturbing in so many ways..


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You seem to forget dog fighting is a well-known “sport” in many seedy areas. Do you really believe the people involved get all bit up in the process? Shame on the “dog trainer” for not knowing how to safely break up a dog fight, that’s simple stuff. Maybe she just got flushed with adrenaline and did something stupid, it happens to the best of us.


One more case of the break down of rule of law: if cops had shot one or both of the dogs, there’d be no charges. Assuming firearm proficiency, there’s no less danger in a cop shooting a dog in a residential area than a serf, er, citizen.


MBPD’s case is weak. They will have to prove malice (the intent, without justification excuse or reason, to commit a wrongful act) for the 597(a), and gross negligence on the 246.3. Of course, in this county, the generally low IQ of the jury box should make a conviction a snap.


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I attempted to adopt a dog a few years ago. I was told that he was friendly, yet it turned out that he was quite agressive toward my dog. A significant human injury was obtained by someone trying to separate the dogs and protect my dog. Neither the man who was injured, or I thought to go get a weapon and kill the dog. Rather, the dog was taken back to the rescue home that he came from, and they were advised not to place him in a home with other dogs. I hope that would be most peoples thinking and and path of action.


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Dog fights can get beyond the ability of even a “dog trainer” to stop before serious injury or death occurs. Breaking up a fight between 2 large dogs from breeds that were bred for some aggressiveness is not as simple as you think — except maybe with a gun.


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All dog owners should have pepper spray, if that fails, shoot em


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CCN, was the gun registered? If so he has every right to shoot his dog. He should be charged with the large capacity clip, that I understand.


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Why? Possession of a large capacity magazine is not illegal.


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You don’t know about laws jailing you for magazines of 11 round capacity? Some can cost you your freedom, a fortune in lawyer bills, and cost you your clean record. Cost you 10 years of court ordered separation from your guns. 10 years. Calif gun laws are the second greatest reason to move to a free state like Texas. The web of laws is extremely complex and arbitrary, with law enforcement waiting to put the handcuffs on you.


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Pre-ban magazines are not illegal.


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Actually I know CA firearm law reasonably well. Possession of a LCM is not illegal under any circumstance other than being generally prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.


CA law in this area is indeed extreme, but can still be navigated.


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No one has a right to discharge a firearm in a neighborhood. The 2nd Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms. It doesn’t give the right to fire weapons anywhere we please.


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You are legally wrong here. A legally armed person does have the right to fire a gun if it is necessary for self-defense or defense of another. At most, in this situation he would be obligated to be sure that his shots didn’t endanger someone else after passing through the dog.


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There was no crime here. This was a reasonable use of a firearm to protect the other dog and possibly his daughter. Shame on Morro Bay police for failing to see the situation. This was a time when the letter of the law should be ignored. Just like immigration and many many other laws the police need to use a bit of discretion about when to enforce the full effect of a law, a citation would have been more than adequate.


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I agree


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At most he could be guilty of the “negligent discharge of a firearm” (and possibly the oversize magazine if he obtained it recently.) Even the negligent discharge would be questionable if the dog was still presenting a threat when he shot it and he was careful to shoot with a safe background.


Yep, cops tend to over-react a lot — they get nervous when anyone else takes action that they believe is reserved for them.


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What a genius! He should run for MB city council.


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He would have to change his name to Carla.


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What? This was a dangerous situation for the owner and his daughter!! Dogs are the second consideration here! I commend the man for his actions!!


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What the H are u talking about ????? lol


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