Oceanside CA– Monday morning, October 20, 2014 at approximately 2:50, officers of the Oceanside Police Department responded to a radio call of a suspicious subject who was sitting in a chair by the front door of a residence in the 700 block of Morse Street.
OPD Officers arrived on scene and observed a person, later identified as Armando Castillo (DOB 02-11-88), sitting in front of the residence with his unrestrained dog. Castillo is a documented street gang member who did not live at this location or in this neighborhood.
When officers exited their vehicle in the street, Castillo’s unrestrained dog charged the officers. The officers told Castillo to control his dog, but he told officers that his dog was just protecting him. The dog charged at the officers a second time. One officer deployed his taser, but was unsuccessful at immobilizing the dog.
Officers told Castillo to come towards them in the street in an effort to avoid being bitten by the dog. Castillo continued to be non-compliant and did not follow the officers’ instructions. As officers approached Castillo, the dog charged the officers once again.
One officer discharged his duty weapon and killed the dog after fearing his safety was in jeopardy. Castillo was subsequently arrested without incident for Obstructing a Police Officer and Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance. He was later transported to the Vista Detention Facility for further processing. A Detective from the General Investigations Unit was called out to follow-up on this incident.
Oceanside Police Officer Shoots, Kills Dog
October 20, 2014