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K-9 helps in arrest of armed suspect

Santa Paula police, with the help of their K-9 Rex, arrested a 22-year-old resident Thursday who was wanted by authorities on several outstanding warrants.

Police received an anonymous tip that David Castro was in the 700 block of Yale Street about noon, according to a police statement. Authorities suspected he was carrying a handgun.

Officers found Castro in the area and repeatedly ordered him to surrender. When he refused, Rex was sent in. Castro received minor injuries during the incident and was treated at the Santa Paula Hospital, police said.

Castro hit and kicked at Rex during the arrest, but the dog was not injured.

Castro was charged for resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer, battery of a police K-9 and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Castro was booked into the Ventura County Jail. His bail is set at $90,000 pending a court appearance.

Discussions

Posted by imbetnonit on August 11, 2007 at 3:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good Dog!

Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 11, 2007 at 7:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well I can agree with the arrest. But MY GOD if a Dog was attacking me I think I would kick back to stop the dog also.......I think that charge should be dropped. Police do not always call the dog off when they should.

Posted by calibaby1978 on August 11, 2007 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

YOu should remember that a K-9 is part of the law enforcment too Anna. They go through training and receive a badge just like a police officer does so please keep all of the charges on him.

Posted by AngryYouth on August 11, 2007 at 11:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You know Anna funny thing is, when you follow the requests of police officers more than likely they won't send the dog. He was wanted, he had a gun, wouldn't surrender and you say they should drop the charge for kicking the police dog. Then you make this assumption police don't call off the dog. Maybe you should get out from behind the computer taking cheap shots at the police and go on a ride along. All you have to do is go apply and pass a back round check. After that then you might have some respect for the men and women who serve on the police department.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 12, 2007 at 2:37 p.m.

(This thread was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 13, 2007 at 5 a.m.

(This thread was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by lowintense on August 13, 2007 at 7:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Dear AnnaWhaat

The bottom line is if a suspect obeys an officer's commands, the officer won't send in the police dog. Whether there have been cases of officers refusing to call of a police dog in time is irrelevent and immaterial to this discussion. Castro should've surrendered. He didn't. He got bitten. End of story. Keep the chargd.

Posted by imbetnonit on August 13, 2007 at 1:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

AnnaWhaat, you can't have an opinion with the "pontificator" around, he/she seems to believe that only their opinion matters. I believe you are entitled to your opinion, even if I don't agree with you sometimes. The personal/immature attacks help the "pontificator" feel superior to you. But we know it's just an illusion. (wink)

Posted by surfmedic91 on August 13, 2007 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Convicted felon: grounds to pull a firearm and send in the dog. He's lucky he didn't get shot. I think INTHEKNOW has too much time on his hands and needs to get of the house.

Posted by Trojanfan on August 15, 2007 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree that the person should not have been carrying a gun, but is it not in a persons nature to defend themselves when put into a situation where their safety is at risk? Did they also cite him for illegally dumping hazardous waste because he was bleeding on the street? If the dog bites him, thats what we shoud consider street justice and let it go, you sit in your cell wounded but not with an additional charge.

Posted by speedy on August 15, 2007 at 10:25 a.m.

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Posted by Trojanfan on August 16, 2007 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I didnt disagree with the officers sending in the K-9, i just dont believe its justifiable to charge someone witht the crime of defending themselves as a 80+ pound animal is knawing in their body parts. But i do agree with Bellsash, the guy is scum.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 16, 2007 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well maybe a few or alot......took my comment a bit to serious. What I said was I hoped that when the dog got ahold of him that I hoped the Officer stopped the dog from biting him. Thats all........ As I have seen in the past, where an Officer kept letting the dog maul someone. I do agree the guy should have been arrested and all........ Im not defending him. It was just my thought about stopping the dog when able to do so. Didn't mean to get everyone in an uproar! oops.

Posted by Trojanfan on August 17, 2007 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Annawhat..dont censor yourself for people, speak your mind and if people get offended..screw them!

Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 17, 2007 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Trojanfan, I do and Thankyou for the support. People like to attack all at once. But I spoke from the heart.
Like the above says some people here thier ignorance just gets to me also !!And to tell someone they lack intellingence. Isnt that an attack? But I have a very high IQ . So it doesn't bother me if one gets in a uproar....
I NEVER read he was on drugs? Do people just make up stories in thier comments? Never read he was on Social Security either? I thought we were talking about the dog?
I'm sure the dog is ok. I do think K9's are good but really can you blame someone for fighting back when being attacked by one??????? Think about it, if capable.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 18, 2007 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Your too much and Im not going to get into a debate. Why you brought up SS I have NO clue ! I dont appreciate your comments and name calling and will not stoop to your level.
NO, If its any of your business OJ is guilty as sin!!! If you actually understood my post you would understand what I was saying. BUT then again your either a cop or a cops wife. One or the other. I never said he didn't deserve to be arrested or to be bitten. I said I hoped they called the dog off as soon as they got to him....period. As many Officers will continue to let the dog attack. Also I think if I was being attacked by an animal regardless of the situation I would fight back in defense. Anyone would. Please read the comment correct before you come to conclusions you know nothing about.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 18, 2007 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bell, If you read my other comment. I am NOT attacking all officers........ I have many relatives that are cops.
OK Now I understand your ssi opinion and No I wasn't aware that just because someone was addicted to drugs that they could draw it.
When I get the video , about the K9 officer believe me you will be the first to know...... its out there.Just have to figure out who has it now.
I didn't say he didn't deserve to be arrested or even attacked by the dog. I said I hoped they stopped the dog when the officer was there and had him under control........... You seem to think Im a cop basher when Im not. Yeah there are alot of cops I do not like because I know for a fact they are corrupt............ But there are many that out number them that are great at thier jobs....

Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 19, 2007 at 7:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ok so you do agree with me. But the percentage I stated is high. I don't remember making that high of one and your probably right it is lower. BUT you have to admit there is excess force in alot of cases. Even just a few is too many in my opinion. I do appreciate the dogs. But lets call them off when we have the situation under control. Thankyou Bell for finally seeing some point of what Im saying. Even if you don't agree with it in its entirely.

Posted by AngryYouth on August 19, 2007 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not to mimic anyone but I have relatives who are criminals and sometimes they kick police dogs.



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