Officer Pulls His Gun on Dog, Angers Beach-Goers

A police officer pulled his gun on a dog he feared was going to attack him Saturday afternoon, angering a crowd of sunbathers on a secluded coastal strip. Some onlookers said they had to yell at the officer to put his gun away.

Officer Harold Griswold was at Table Rock Beach on an unrelated call Saturday afternoon when he spotted the dog without a leash and went to cite its owner, Roxy Sharwtz of Laguna Beach.

“The dog charged at (Griswold) in a vicious manner so quick and unexpected that he drew his duty weapon in self-defense,” said Sgt. Mike Hall. “It appeared to be justifiable under the circumstances. We don’t require that our officers get bit before they take action.”

Sharwtz could not be reached for comment.

Witnesses said the dog, a German shepherd mix named Bandit, had been threatening to the officer, but added that they were outraged that Griswold pulled his gun out in the middle of the crowded beach.

Griswold “put the gun away when everyone started yelling at him,” said Jeanette Clark, who was sitting about eight feet away from the confrontation.

“I think the officer knew he had crossed the line. He had Mace and a stick. It was uncalled-for. If he had tried to shoot that dog, he could have hit me or any one of my friends.”

“I was shocked,” said John Nootbaar, who was sitting several yards away from the incident. “I believe in having a safe beach, but I felt in this case that the policeman lost his cool.”

Nootbaar added that dogs are not allowed on the beach during the summer but have been a frequent problem.