Police officer in Grover Beach fatal dog attack on administrative leave

The owner of the dog who viciously attacked two Grover Beach residents on Dec. 13 has been cooperating with the investigation, according to the Grover Beach Police Department.

The owner, who is also a police officer with Grover Beach PD has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation.

The officer, whose identity has not been released, turned over the aggressor dog, a 2 1/2-year-old Belgian Malinois, which was euthanized. He also quarantined a second dog until the investigation is over.

Due to the seriousness and severity of this case, several agencies are involved in the investigation including, The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department and the SLO County Animal Services Division, the lead investigative agency.

64-year-old David Fear, the man who intervened when a loose dog attacked an 85-year-old woman, died from his injuries three days after the vicious attack. Fear had been in critical condition at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center.

Fear’s wife, Terry Fear, spoke exclusively with reporter Sean Larsen on Monday – remembering her husband as a hero, saying he will be dearly missed. There’s also a growing memorial on their street.

“I don’t know if I can go on without him, but I know I will and I know I’ll see him again,” widow Terry Fear said.

Terry Fear says her husband of more than 20 years was always the hero of her heart.

“I will be there someday, we’ll be back together again someday, he was my world,” Fear said.

A candlelight vigil will be held Friday evening at 6 pm at the David Fear memorial on the corner of Twelfth Street and Nacimiento Avenue in Grover Beach, if you would like to pay your respects.

The Fear family has started a Go Fund Me page if you’d like to help.

Memorial in honor of the man killed by a vicious dog attack in Grover Beach, grows. (Sean Larsen / KCOY photo)