6 hours ago3 min read

CHRISTOPHER MORALES senselessly shot a dog in November 2024 – No charges filed yet

- Florida, USA -

On the evening of November 30, 2024, deputies with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office responded to Crooked Stick Drive in Viera in reference to a male who had shot a dog.

Upon arrival, they found a 1½ -year-old male Goldendoodle named Maui lying on the sidewalk. Maui had suffered an apparent gunshot wound and was accompanied by his guardian Audrey Cecil.

Maui was taken to the Rockledge Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital where he received emergency care to save his precious life.

An initial investigation conducted at the scene revealed that Maui had been shot by CHRISTOPHER MORALES, aka TOLEDO MORALES, a local resident who had left the scene and called 911 to report that he shot a dog in the neighborhood. MORALES claimed the dog had tried to bite him (Where did I hear that before?).

In a Facebook post, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey published MORALES' call to 911. A male can be heard saying: “I was walking my dog and a dog came out of nowhere, rushed towards me and my dog and almost hit me and I shot it and killed it.”

Sheriff Ivey said that according to MORALES' statement, he was walking his dog on the side of the sidewalk across the street from the Town Center Dog Park when a loose dog, Maui, got off his leash, came across the street, and then ran at him and his dog. MORALES claimed that Maui started barking and charging aggressively and ran at MORALES and his dog. MORALES stated that he positioned himself between his dog and Maui, which caused it to circle around MORALES and his dog. MORALES went on to say that Maui jumped at him and he was forced to shoot him out of fear of what Maui would do to him or his dog. MORALES advised that immediately after the shooting, he went home and called law enforcement.

Investigators then interviewed Audrey and she stated that as she and Maui were walking back home after leaving the dog park, Maui escaped out of his leash and ran toward a male who was walking his dog. Audery told investigators that in her opinion, Maui only wanted to play with the other dog as he is known to be very playful. Audrey admitted she was unable to control Maui and acknowledged that Maui did in fact circle MORALES while she was trying to gain control of him but she was unable to get him before he was shot. Audrey did not even have the time to tell MORALES that Maui was friendly.

After Maui was shot, Audrey asked MORALES why he shot him and he answered that Maui was going to attack him.

Maui underwent surgery and thankfully it was successful. The furvictim is expected to fully recover and according to Audrey’s update posted on her Facebook account on December 5, 2024, the precious pup is back home with his family.

Sheriff Ivey said that during the course of the investigation, it was determined that MORALES is legally allowed to carry a firearm and that MORALES at no time pointed the firearm at Audrey “or anyone during this incident.” Well, anyone except Maui!

Sheriff Ivey pointed out that regarding this incident, there were numerous grossly inflamed comments littering social media with an abundance of half-truths that were driving the emotions of the community.

He stressed that agents in this case did an extremely thorough investigation and advised that the case will be presented to the state attorney's office for review and determination can be made as to if any criminal acts were committed during the incident.

I want to know why MORALES did not fire a shot in the air.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from updates provided by Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

Maui’s pictures shared from Audrey’s Facebook account