Viera, FL – A joyous evening at the Viera Christmas Parade turned into a nightmare for one young family when their beloved 1-year-old Goldendoodle, Maui, was senselessly shot by another resident of their apartment complex. Now, as Maui recovers from life-saving surgery, the family is grappling with the emotional and financial toll, compounded by an unexpected citation from local law enforcement.
Maui’s owner was walking him from the Town Center dog park when the unthinkable happened. Maui slipped out of his leash and went playfully running up to a familiar dog in the complex being walked by his owner. Maui’s owner says that she was right behind Maui assuring the other owner that “it’s ok he’s nice” as she was attempting to secure Maui.
That’s when she says that suddenly, the other dog’s owner Christopher Morales, a man with a history of similar behavior, drew his gun threatening to shoot Maui and did just that at close range. The bullet went through the neck and out of Maui’s chest. Morales, according to law enforcement, justified his actions by claiming he was “in fear of his safety.” In last year’s incident, a woman stated that while she was walking her lab, Morales approached her with his dog walking the opposite direction. When the dogs, who were both on leashes began to interact, she says Morales pulled a gun from his jeans and threatened to shoot her dog. No charges were filed in the March 2023 incident.
Despite public outrage, no charges have been filed against Morales. According to records from the Brevard County Clerk, he was cited for an expired rabies tag for his dog. This marks the second known incident involving Morales and firearm use against dogs being walked by women, raising concerns among Viera residents about the adequacy of existing legal protections for pets. “So a puppy starts jumping to play with your dog and your response is to shoot it? You should not own a gun,” one person commented on Facebook.
Maui has undergone extensive medical care, including a critical surgery to reconstruct his trachea. During the procedure, veterinarians were able to reattach the damaged sections of his airway, and fortunately, they found no additional esophageal damage.
While the surgery was a success, Maui remains in a delicate condition. He is still unable to breathe independently and faces risks of post-operative complications, including fluid in his lungs. The family shared that doctors have advised limiting visits to avoid excitement that could jeopardize his fragile recovery.
A GoFundMe campaign to cover Maui’s medical bills has received an outpouring of community support, surpassing its $3,500 goal and raising over $5,000. Yet, with the mounting cost of surgeries and ongoing care, the family remains in urgent need of assistance.
As Maui clings to life, the family suffered another blow. Brevard County law enforcement issued them a citation for their dog being off-leash during the incident. This development has sparked widespread condemnation, with many community members questioning the priorities of local authorities.
“It’s beyond comprehension that a family whose dog was senselessly shot is now being punished while the shooter walks free,” one resident stated. Ticketing the family for such an offense after being subjected to such violence raises questions of the judgement in law enforcement’s discretion in this incident.
Many in the community are calling for a thorough review of Morales’s actions and the policies that have allowed such incidents to persist. Many residents at Center Pointe Apartments have expressed living in fear now and are afraid to walk their dogs knowing that Morales is still out there, armed and willing to fire on any dog he perceives as a threat. Some residents have posted flyers with Morales’ photo around the complex warning other residents of his violent behavior. Meanwhile, Maui’s family is urging for justice while focusing on his recovery.
Countless supporters, are demanding accountability from law enforcement and Center Pointe Apartments to ensure incidents like this don’t happen again. An email shared with us between Center Pointe and residents shows that the complex believes the incident to have happened on “public property.”
As the investigation continues, the case has drawn attention to gaps in animal protection laws and the challenges of balancing self-defense claims with the need for justice. For now, the family is relying on the love and prayers of their community as they help Maui through his long road to recovery.
For those wishing to contribute, Maui’s GoFundMe campaign remains active. The family asks for continued prayers, support, and advocacy for “Justice for Maui.”
