Rare murder case filed against dog owner after fatal mauling of boy, 4
The owner of four pit bulls that mauled a 4-year-old boy to death in Detroit, Michigan, last week is facing an unusual murder prosecution.
In addition to second-degree murder, Geneke Antonio Lyons, 41, is also charged with manslaughter and possessing dangerous animals causing death in the Wayne County case, according to CNN and the Detroit Free Press.
“The evidence in this case will show that these dogs saw this child as meal, and we believe that we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the alleged actions of the defendant in this case rise to the level of murder in the second degree,” said county prosecutor Kym Worthy in a news release. “It is a gross understatement to say that this case is a harrowing example of irresponsible pet ownership.”
Her office said there have been prior complaints about the dogs, who have escaped from their fenced enclosure before.
The family of the dead boy has also filed a civil lawsuit against Lyons and the owner of the property where he died.
Authorities said the boy was walking on a sidewalk with his mother when both were attacked and he was dragged under a fence and killed by the dogs. Three dogs were shot by police officers, and a fourth was later euthanized.
The articles don’t include any comment from Lyons or his legal counsel.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “Ex-lawyer serving time in rare dog-maul murder case asks 9th Circuit to nix conviction”
MLive.com: “Couple reach plea deal in dog-mauling death of jogger in Lapeer County”
