Posted on December 31, 2015 by Colleen Lynn

Interchangeable Breed Labels in Miami-Dade County

Nyjah Espinosa was killed by a pit bull-type dog while visiting her father's home.

Pit Bull-Mixes Routinely Mislabeled "Bulldog-Mixes"

UPDATE 12/30/15: After a serious or fatal attack, there is rarely a "pit bull-mix" designation in Miami-Dade County, which has banned pit bulls since 1989. The labeling is either a purebred pit bull, where the ordinance must apply, or a mix that excludes pit bulls, such as the following assigned by Miami-Dade Animal Services after 3 recent fatal attacks: American bulldog-lab mix, American bulldog-mix (unspecified), lab-mix (unspecified) and terrier-mix (woefully unspecified).

Three people have been killed by variances of Miami-Dade's "breed labeling game," primarily American bulldog-mixes, since August 2014.

In a jurisdiction that bans pit bulls and pit bull-mixes, Miami-Dade Animal Services (MDAS) assigns these suspicious labels to a dizzying number of dogs available for adoption, many which should be in violation of the county ban ordinance. Also noted are the unrealistic weights of the three adult male alleged American bulldog-mixes, which show a weight common of an adult male pit bull, not an adult male American bulldog, which typically falls between 70 and 130 pounds.

The first dog, Bruce, came into the shelter as an American Staffordshire terrier on Sept. 27, according to social media posts -- explicitly prohibited by the ordinance. By Nov. 30, while still at the MDAS shelter, the dog magically became an "American bulldog-mix." On the second row, the first dog, Jonny, was admitted to MDAS as a "Pit bull terrier-mix" on November 2, according to social media posts -- also prohibited by the ban ordinance. By December 14, it was labeled simply a "Terrier." By December 22, Jonny magically became a "Terrier and bulldog" mix.

Reviewing the Ordinance Language

The Miami-Dade County pit bull ban ordinance is quite clear. Pit bull-mixes are indeed included and specifically part (c) states, "Technical deficiencies in the dog's conformance to the standards described in subsection (b) shall not be construed to indicate that the subject dog is not a 'pit bull dog' under this article." MDAS is clearly assigning the pit bull breed designation by essentially using a "dog show conformation requirement," which is not what the ordinance intended.

Furthermore, as noted above, some dogs like Bruce and Jonny were initially designated by MDAS as an American Staffordshire terrier or pit bull-mix, both prohibited by the ordinance, when admitted into the shelter. Then later assigned an American bulldog-mix or terrier-bulldog mix label by MDAS, designations that fall outside of the ordinance and allow the dogs to be adopted out to the public. The interchangeability of these breed labels is often just that: totally interchangeable.

Sec. 5-17.1. - Definition and identification of a pit bull dog.

(a) The term "pit bull dog" as used within this article shall refer to any dog which exhibits those distinguishing characteristics which:

(1) Substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club for American Staffordshire Terriers or Staffordshire Bull Terriers; or

(2) Substantially conform to the standards established by the United Kennel Club for American Pit Bull Terriers.

(b) The Standards of the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club referred to in subsection (a) above, are attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as "Exhibit A" and shall remain on file with the Animal Services Division of the Public Works Department of Miami-Dade County.

(c) Technical deficiencies in the dog's conformance to the standards described in subsection (b) shall not be construed to indicate that the subject dog is not a "pit bull dog" under this article.

(d) Testimony by a veterinarian, zoologist, animal behaviorist, or animal control officer that a particular dog exhibits distinguishing physical characteristics of a pit bull shall establish a rebuttable presumption that the dog is a pit bull.

(Ord. No. 89-22, § 3, 4-4-89)

Enforcers of the Pit Bull Ban

Section 5-17.5 of the pit bull ban ordinance designates MDAS as the enforcers. "It shall, be the duty and responsibility of all Miami-Dade County Animal Control Officers to enforce the provisions of this article," states the code. The very department that overly indulges in the "breed labeling game" to apply the ban to fewer dogs. This continues to be the case after the longstanding pit bull ban was upheld by the public in a countywide primary vote in 2012 by a 63% to 47% margin.

As pointed out by Sputnik in our comment section, MDAS was formerly part of the Dade County Public Safety Department then shifted to the Animal Care and Control Division under the Public Works Department. In 2001, the Miami-Dade Police Department took over and in October 2005, Animal Services Department (ASD) was created as a stand-alone entity with the core mission of "caring for the animals in its custody." Any mission of public safety was purged 10-years ago.

The "Pit" Bulldog Shared Heritage

What do dogfighters and pit bull experts call their pit bulls? "Bulldogs." What were pit bulls mainly called prior to the 1970s? "Bulldogs." This is because "bulldog" in this context refers to the earliest bull baiters (bulldogs) crossed with terriers, to create the ultimate canine warrior in the dogfighting pit. These dogs became the modern day pit bull terrier. The American bulldog, formerly named the "American pit bulldog" is just another iteration of this early "bulldog" breed that is now extinct.

The terms "bulldog" and "original bulldog" always mean the original baiting bulldog, of which several gripper breeds descended from.

So when we asked expert Alexandra Semyonova for a breed identification of the dog that killed Nyjah Espinosa just 5-days from her second birthday, she said simply, "It's a pit bull-mix." Because technically, all American bulldogs -- particularly the Scott-type, the breed standard -- are at least half pit bull terrier. The AKC does not recognize American bulldogs and the UKC only began to in 1999. But why not hear this from the horse’s mouth, the "inventors" of the American bulldog?

The Johnson-Scott Declaration (2005) has been online for many years now. As we state in our BSL FAQ footnotes, the document talks about the breed's former name, the American pit bulldog. Johnson states in no uncertain terms that the pit bull terrier and his "preserved" American bulldog Johnson-type variance is nothing more than the latter being a larger dog. Both dogs possess the “exact” same heritage: shared genetic bloodlines for the purpose of bull-baiting and dogfighting.1

Read more about the 19th Century "original bulldog" on the Safety Before Pit Bulldogs blog.

How We Track American Bulldogs

Since we began documenting U.S. fatal dog attacks, American bulldogs have always had their own category. They are tracked separately from pit bulls despite their mirrored heritage because they are formally recognized by the UKC. Since January 1, 2005, American bulldogs and their mixes have contributed to 3% (11) of the total 361 dog bite fatalities, including the two recent deaths in Miami-Dade County, where MDAS routinely over indulges in the "breed labeling game."

In the past, on the occasions when photographs of the dogs have been available, such as after the death of 10-year old Justin Clinton, we resolved conflicting media reports (American bulldog vs. a pit bull-mix) by labeling those dogs pit bull-mixes. In the case of the pit bull-type dog that killed Nyjah on December 20, this male 95-pound dog falls on the side of an American bulldog-mix in our tracking system. The American bulldog and "their mixes" category is never an easy one.2

Editorial note: After the August 2014 mauling death of Javon Dade Jr., MDAS used four different labels to identify the secondary attackers (a group of 5 dogs, which included puppies): Labrador-pit bull mixes, American bulldog-lab mixes, terrier-boxer mixes and terrier-mixes. After the fatal attack of Carmen Reigada in September, MDAS labeled the dogs and American bulldog, Rhodesian ridgeback and lab-mix. Later, the American bulldog was relabeled an American bulldog-mix and the ridgeback was dumped.

12/22/15: Visiting Child Killed by Dog
Miami-Dade, FL - On Sunday, a 2-year old girl was brutally attacked and killed by her father's pit bull-type dog while visiting his Miami-Dade home for the holidays. Nyjah Espinosa would have celebrated her second birthday on Christmas, but a 5-year old male "American bulldog-mix," according to Miami-Dade Animal Services, struck her down in a deadly attack. County officials say the little girl was in the hallway when the dog attacked. Police continue to investigate her death.

On Nyjah's GoFundMe page, her grandmother, Diley Gonzalez, states: "On Sunday, December 20th, 2015, my granddaughter, Nyjah "Nyny" Espinosa, just 5 days shy of her 2nd birthday, was attacked by a pit bull. Doctors at Miami Children's Hospital tried to keep her with us, but were unable to do so. Our little girl was no longer with us." So, as usual in Miami-Dade County, animal services labeled the dog an "American bulldog-mix," but family members believe it is a pit bull.

Photograph Sent to Expert

We have sent the dog photograph to an expert to review. This case is not nearly as outrageous as the "breed labeling game" Miami-Dade Animal Services played after the pit bull mauling death of Javon Dade Jr. in 2014. Miami-Dade County has had a pit bull ban since 1989. In 2012, the public upheld the ban in a county primary vote by a wide margin. The pit bull ban stands. The "enforcers" of this ban, Miami-Dade Animal Services, should be subject to extreme scrutiny at this stage.

View the DogsBite.org Google State Map: Florida Fatal Pit Bull Attacks.

1In a 1997 interview posted online, Johnson boast about how his dogs are the original bulldog and that the "American Pit Bull Terrier got its gameness in the first place from the American Bulldog." Dogfighters would certainly dispute this! Johnson is simply one of many who want to take credit for "preserving" the "original bulldog."
2If we had proof of the dog's sire and dam, as we have had in other close call breed determining cases, most recently in West Virginia and Iowa, and in 2014, Louisiana, we might certainly change our mind about this dog.

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Colleen Lynn

2015 Dog Bite Fatality: Gridley Woman Mauled To Death by Her Two Pet Pit Bulls

Maria Torres, 57-years old, died after being attacked by her two pet pit bulls.

Cause of Death Released
UPDATE 01/29/16: The Butte County Coroner's Office released the official cause of death of Maria Torres, 57. Sheriff's deputies found Torres dead inside her home on Dewsnup Avenue covered in bite marks on December 16. Two pet pit bulls were also inside her home. Miranda Bowersox, Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer, said that Torres died due to blood loss from the injuries she sustained due to a fatal dog attack. Both pit bulls were put down after the attack.

12/17/15: Killed by Family Pit Bulls
Gridley, CA - The Butte County Sheriff's Office said a Gridley woman is dead from injuries she sustained while trying to break up a fight between her two pit bulls. Gridley is about 60 miles north of Sacramento. When the victim did not show up for work Wednesday, deputies were asked to conduct a welfare check at her home on Dewsnup Avenue. Deputies arrived about 3:30 pm and found the woman inside covered in bite marks and two large pit bulls loose in the home.

According to a news release sent out Wednesday, investigators "determined that the dogs had been fighting, and the woman had tried to break them up. The woman sustained grave injuries as a result of her intervention and died as a result," the Butte County Sheriff's Office said. Animal control was called to the scene to contain the dogs. Relatives confirmed the two pit bulls were the victim's pets. The woman's name was not released pending notification of family members.

Afternoon Updates

The Butte County Sheriff's Office issued a statement today clarifying why they believe the victim was trying to break up a dog fight. The theory was "based on the fact that the dogs had injuries consistent with being involved in a fight with one another," states the release. Detectives are also evaluating if the victim died of natural causes and the dog bite injuries were inflicted post-mortem. The autopsy, which is scheduled for today, will determine the cause of death, states the release.

In an evening Fox 40 news report, the victim was identified as 57-year old Maria Torres. Butte County deputies discovered her body with injuries consistent with a dog attack. "The pit bulls had injuries themselves, indicating they had been in a confrontation, in a fight with one another," sheriff's spokesperson Miranda Bowersox said. The two male pit bulls were ages 3 and 5-years old; neither dog was neutered. Both pit bulls were euthanized at the request of Torres' daughter.

View the DogsBite.org Google State Map: California Fatal Pit Bull Attacks.

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Colleen Lynn

Coroner Rules Manner of Death "Suicide" in Dog Mauling

Rebecca Hardy was fatally attacked by a pit bull. The manner of death was ruled suicide.

Minor Charges Filed
UPDATE 02/10/16: The owners of two dogs that fatally attacked Rebecca Hardy, 22, in Port Huron last year will be charged with having unlicensed dogs. The primary attacker, a pit bull, mutilated her face and severed her carotid artery. Now Andrew Scott Miller and Jessica Rae Johnson each face this misdemeanor, which carries a 90-day sentence and/or a $500 fine. The charges were authorized Wednesday, St. Clair County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Steve Guilliat said.

On December 3, Hardy climbed part way over the couple's poorly maintained fence and was pulled into the backyard by the male pit bull that latched onto her leg, a witness states in the police report. The dog then viciously attacked her face and neck. Oakland County Medical Examiner Ljubisa Dragovic later ruled the manner of death suicide. Dragovic said the investigation showed that Hardy knew the dogs were dangerous and that her climbing the fence was a "purposeful act."

Just days ago we learned more details about this attack when the Times Herald published parts of the Port Huron police report. Part of the information learned was the name of the pit bull, "King," likely short for "Kingsley," as seen on Johnson's Facebook page. In this horrific, gruesome and surreal fatal pit bull mauling that made national headlines, we finally now also have images of the dogs. The second photo of King shows the dog curled up in an infant seat in the couple's home.

02/05/16: Redacted Police Report
Under the Freedom of Information Act, the Times Herald obtained a copy of the Port Huron Police report on the death of Rebecca Hardy. She was brutally attacked and killed by a pit bull on December 3. The dog ripped out her throat, chewed off her ears and tore into her face, including ripping out an eye and part of her nose, according to the report. The dog severed her carotid artery and broke her cervical spine, states the report. Injuries common in fatal pit bull attacks.

The police report reveals information that we and many others have long sought: Who, if anyone, actually saw Hardy climb the fence? According to the police report, a witness did. At least he saw her part way climb the fence. The pit bull intervened by latching onto her leg and pulling her fully into the unnamed owner's backyard. This yard became her graveyard after a horrific, violent pit bull attack. Oakland County Medical Examiner Ljubisa Dragovic ruled the manner of death suicide.

"(Name redacted) states he did observe a white female, that was later identified as HARDY to be at the fence of his neighbors (redacted) and (redacted) property. (Redacted) states that he did observe the brown Pit Bull and the white Husky to be outside barking at HARDY as she was at the fence. (Redacted) states that he then observed HARDY to climb the fence and have one leg over the fence onto (redacted) and (redacted) property.
"(Redacted) states that as HARDY was on the fence, the brown Pit Bull, named King, grabbed HARDY by the leg area and pulled her on the ground," according to the police report on the fatal mauling of the 22-year-old Port Huron woman. - The Times Herald, February 4, 2016

The last words her boyfriend, who has a child with Hardy, ever said to her was, "Get out."

12/10/15: Victim Had Knowledge of Danger
A report from CBS Detroit cleared up some questions about the horrific mauling death of Rebecca Hardy. It seems her death was "suicide by pit bull attack." Oakland County Medical Examiner Ljubisa Dragovic had earlier called the dogs "attack dogs," but offered no explanation as to how he knew this. CBS Detroit states: "Dragovic said an investigation revealed that Hardy knew her neighbor’s dogs were dangerous and, in the past, had gone to great lengths to avoid them."

"It’s akin to someone jumping into a cage with tigers or lions at a zoo." - Oakland County ME Ljubisa Dragovic

Dragovic also left no doubt about how Hardy entered the yard. "She did climb the fence over and enter that space,” Dragovic said. “She did not get through a gate or through the front door of the house -- and that clearly is a purposeful act." The manner of death (how the death arose) was not accidental as it most commonly is in fatal dog attacks. Hardy's death was ruled suicide because of her purposeful act of climbing into the yard with knowledge that these dogs were dangerous.

Appalling New Reality

It is no longer necessary to go to a major zoo to commit suicide by a horrific lion or bear mauling. A person can accomplish this same goal in a residential neighborhood at a home that keeps dangerous pit bulls fenced outside. This is a terribly sad reality and speaks volumes about the regularly crappy fences used by pit bull owners that are literally the only barrier between life and death. "Suicide by dog attack" is a manner of death ruling that we hope to never hear again.

12/09/15: Previous Suicide Attempt
The Detroit Free Press reports that Hardy had attempted suicide in the past and that she had recently been kicked out of her house. Oakland County Medical Examiner Ljubisa Dragovic said, "These were attack dogs. These were vicious dogs in an enclosed space. She obviously was aware of that, because she climbed over the fence to subject herself to this threat." In previous media reports, Port Huron Police have not stated if the dogs had a history of aggression.

This could only be suicide if Hardy had crystal clear knowledge of the dogs' vicious propensities. The entire suicide theory hinges on it.

A toxicology report is still pending. However, Dragovic also said, "If (drugs or alcohol) were a factor in general behavior, it still does not eliminate the purposeful act of climbing into the dangerous area." Again, assuming that Hardy knew it was dangerous and that the dogs would attack her. Her fiancé, Matt Grattan, said, "I, in no way, shape or form believe that she was looking to hurt herself on that day. She had a little girl ... She wanted us to be a family," Grattan said.

Information Based on Witnesses

The Detroit News reports that the manner of Rebecca Hardy’s death (suicide) "was determined based on information given to police by witnesses during the investigation,” Port Huron Police Captain Jeff Baker said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. We know so far that one witness was a neighbor that came to her aid and beat the male pit bull with a two-by-four. Another witness is the dogs' owner who was alerted to the attack by the neighbor and also intervened to help.

"It's a sad story, but these are the facts." - Oakland County ME Ljubisa Dragovic

By late afternoon, The Times Herald had updated their earlier breaking news story to include these details and more. Dragovic told The Herald, "She climbed the fence and jumped in and basically subjected herself to the attacks, which constitutes a purposeful act." The Herald also reported that police turned over a request of charges for the dogs' owner, which is a very strong indicator that these dogs indeed have a history of vicious acts. The investigation continues.

12/09/15: Mauling Death Ruled Suicide?
In a breaking news update, the Oakland County Medical Examiner's office has ruled the death of 22-year old Rebecca Hardy a suicide. Of the 400 plus fatal dog attacks we have reviewed at DogsBite.org over the last 8-years, we have never seen an ME office rule the manner of death a suicide. Every now and again, somewhere in the world, a person will enter into a lion's pen at a zoo to commit suicide. Entering into a residential yard with two dogs is hardly comparable.

Why would Hardy assume these dogs would kill her? She had a pit bull in her own household, according to family Facebook photo albums.1 Two days after her death, her fiancé posted publicly defending the breed stating, "its not the breed its the people that teach them.i know countless pitbulls that would never hurt a fly." [sic] In the wake of her death, her mother also defended the pit bull breed. "It’s all how you raise them," Terresa-Jesse Engel told the Huron Daily Tribune.

12/07/15: Dogs Euthanized After Attack
Two adult dogs, a male pit bull and female pit bull-husky mix,2 and one puppy were euthanized Friday after the mauling death of a 22-year old woman. Both adult dogs were involved in the vicious attack that killed Rebecca Hardy on December 3, according to Port Huron Police Captain Jeff Baker. The owner of the two dogs and four pit bull-husky mix puppies gave consent for the animals to be euthanized after the attack, according to St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon.

The euthanizations were carried out by St. Clair County Animal Control. Both adult pit bulls and one puppy were euthanized before the owner submitted a letter rescinding the consent Friday afternoon through a lawyer, Donnellon said. "At that point, we stopped and returned the three puppies to the lawyer," he said. Regardless of the letter, neither of the adults would have been returned to the owner. "We would have sought a court order to move forward," Donnellon said.

Apparently, "foster-based only" Michigan Animal Crew rescue was hoping to rehome them all.

12/05/15: Barefoot in December Theory
The facts leading up to the mauling death of Rebecca Hardy remain sketchy, but several have been confirmed. There was an argument between Hardy and her fiancé. Then in December in Michigan, Hardy left the couple's home barefoot, according to new details from the WXYZ video. The video also shows the fence Hardy climbed over, where a pit bull and pit bull-husky mix3 were contained and barking at her. As soon as Hardy got over the fence, the pit bull attacked her.

The dog latched onto her neck and ripped out most of it. The pit bull also attacked her face. "A dog that is that vicious, it almost ate her head right off," her step-father said. "Ate her ears off, tore the esophagus right out of her throat, her jugular vein. To have a dog like that in a city like this?" he asked. Hardy's mother, Terresa-Jesse Engel, added, "It was murderous. It was criminal and evil." A neighbor who witnessed the attack had to beat the pit bull with a two-by-four to free Hardy.

In Summary

Shortly before the grisly attack -- police arrived at 4:40 pm -- Hardy left her home barefoot after an argument with her fiancé. We estimate it was about 40 degrees outside.4 Media reports say she lived one or two blocks away from the scene of the attack. Her fiancé said they lived a "few doors down." Hardy did not know anyone who lived at the home. Despite the yard having a gate, Hardy climbed the fence in her bare feet then was fatally attacked by a male pit bull contained inside.

Port huron, fatal pit bull attack, fence area

Port huron, fatal pit bull attack, gate area

12/04/15: Port Huron Police Statement
Port Huron, MI - Yesterday, just a day after a 4-year old boy was savagely killed by four pit bulls in Detroit, a young woman was flown to a major medical center after a brutal attack involving a pit bull. Port Huron is about 55 miles northeast of Detroit. Family and friends began posting to Facebook late last night that she did not survive her injuries. Port Huron Police confirmed today that Rebecca Hardy, 22, died after suffering severe facial and neck injuries from a dog attack.

At about 4:40 pm Thursday, officers were dispatched to 1721 10th Street for an injured female that had been attacked by dogs. Responding officers found the woman in the backyard of a residence at that location with severe facial and neck injuries. The early investigation indicates that Hardy entered into the fenced-in backyard for an unknown reason. A pit bull in the backyard then viciously attacked her. A second dog believed to be a husky later joined in the deadly attack.

Hardy was transported to a local hospital by EMS then air lifted to Beaumont Hospital, where she died. Both dogs were taken into custody by the Port Huron Police Department's animal control officer and are being quarantined at the St. Clair County Animal Control Center. Port Huron police continue to investigate the victim's death and are working with two medical examiner's offices along with the St. Clair County Prosecutor's Office to determine if any charges are warranted.

An Argument with Fiancé

The Times Herald reached out to her fiancé, Matthew Grattan who made a public status update on his Facebook page last night, announcing Hardy's dog mauling death. Grattan told The Herald the couple had an 18-month old daughter together. "She was full of life, Grattan said. "She loved her daughter with everything." Grattan also said that he is not sure how she ended up in the neighbor's backyard. "Nobody was there, nobody knows what happened and why," Grattan said.

Grattan explained that he and Hardy had an argument at his home a few doors down shortly before the attack. She then left the house, he said. Grattan then speculated that she went down the alleyway behind the 10th Street homes and attempted to cut across the neighbor's backyard to get to 10th Street. After hearing ambulance sirens down the street, Grattan walked over to the scene. Other nearby residents were also shaken by the arrival of multiple first responders.

Witness & Owner Intervened

According to the Port Huron Police Department's statement, a witness attempted to free Hardy while under attack by the pit bull. Not succeeding, the person then went into the home and had the dogs' owner come out to help. As this unfolded, the second dog, later described as a pit bull-husky mix5, also attacked the victim. The owner of the dogs was eventually able to free Hardy from both dogs and give aid to her. Police say the dogs' owner is cooperating fully in their investigation.

Grattan sarcastically comments about his own "vicious" family pit bulls. We've included this to show his "attitude" about pit bulls. The pit bull that killed his fiancée belonged to a neighbor.

View the DogsBite.org Google State Map: Michigan Fatal Pit Bull Attacks.

1The image shows Hardy's daughter Molly with her fiancé, Matt Grattan's, young male pit bull. This places the dog in the direct household. The couple got the pit bull at about the same time Molly was born, 18-months ago.
2, 3, 5In February 2016, it became clear from the Port Huron Police report that the second adult dog involved in the attack was a "white husky." We are leaving in the earlier media reports of the dog being a "pit bull-husky mix" because that is what was reported at that time. The "pit bull-husky mix" label originated with the dog's owner, according to Port Huron Police Capt. Jeff Baker. "The dog owner said the second dog was a pit bull-husky mix, Baker said." (Beth LaBlanc, "Dogs involved in fatal mauling euthanized," The Times Herald, December 7, 2015).
4According to Weather.com, the temperature high in Port Huron on December 3, 2015 was 44 degrees. By 4:30 pm, we estimate it had fallen by at least 4 degrees. Sunset was at 4:55 pm, 15 minutes after police arrived.

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Colleen Lynn

2015 Dog Bite Fatality: 4-Year Old Boy Savagely Killed by Four Pit Bulls in Detroit

Xavier Strickland, 4-years old, was killed by pit bulls in Detroit in December 2015.

Owner to Face Trial
UPDATE 01/07/16: The owner of a pack of pit bulls that killed a 4-year old boy on December 2, will stand trial in the death of a child. At the end of the preliminary examination, Judge Lydia Nance-Adams ruled Geneke Lyons, 41, will proceed to trial on the charges of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and possessing dangerous animals causing death in connection to the death of Xavier Strickland. The judge also continued the $1 million dollar bond for Lyons.

The horrific mauling death, described as the pit bulls disemboweling the boy, was captured on surveillance cameras on Lyons' property. Judge Adams and two court workers watched the 16-minute video during the court proceedings. Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Parisa Kiani said Lyons' fencing was inadequate, allowing the dogs to escape, and that Lyons knew what was happening on his property at all times. Kiani described the dogs as "security equipment."

Lyons remains incarcerated and is scheduled to be arraigned in circuit court on January 14.

12/23/15: Mother and Witness Testify
The mother of 4-year old Xavier Strickland testified in court today about the horrors she witnessed on December 2, as four pit bulls savagely killed her son. Lucillie Strickland said she knew just moments before the deadly attack that it was coming. “I just knew that it was gonna go down. Because when the dogs looked, they just started running straight at us,” she said. Yesterday, the judge and two court workers watched surveillance camera footage showing the horrific attack.

Just before the pit bulls beelined Lucillie and her son, the two had started to step backward, expecting a confrontation. Both her and her son tripped and fell as they were backing up, she testified. By that point, the dogs were on them. She “started kicking and punching them away,” she said. She still had Xavier protected under one arm when the pit bulls “snatched him away from me,” she said. The dogs dragged him by the hood of his coat across the street and under a fence.

"They pulled him to the fence to the other dog in the fence, and the other dog grabbed his hood on his coat and pulled him under." - Lucillie Strickland

Also providing testimony today was Cherisse Williams, who witnessed the brutal attack. “The dogs were all over him like they were snatching his clothes off,” she said. “There is really no words to describe what I saw. Looking at Xavier, his eyes were open, looking at the sky,” she said. Other parts of today’s testimony were too graphic to air, according to ClickonDetroit. The preliminary examination continues on January 7, where children in the neighborhood are expected to testify.

12/22/15: Horror Surveillance Video
Today the preliminary examination began for the owner four pit bulls that disemboweled a 4-year old boy in Detroit on December 2. Geneke Antonio Lyons, 41, is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and possessing dangerous animals causing death in connection to the brutal mauling death of Xavier Strickland. Today in court the judge and courtroom workers watched the surveillance video of the entire horrific attack handed over by the defendant.

Earlier prosecutors said they had evidence to show the dogs saw "child as meal." The defendant's own surveillance video is that evidence.

The preliminary examination will determine if there is enough evidence to try Lyons on all charges. No doubt the video dealt Lyons' defense case a crushing, unrecoverable blow. Mark Bernstein, who is representing Xavier's parents in a civil lawsuit, described the footage as "16 minutes of horror" and will likely be played in trial. When that happens, there will be "a sense of outrage," he said, and hopefully mobilize the community to ensure "that this never, ever, ever happens again."

The Detroit News adds that the video came from four cameras at Lyons' home. Spectators and the media were not allowed to see the video, but they were able to see the expressions of those who could. The courtroom stenographer placed her hands over her mouth in horror as the pit bulls devoured the boy; the deputy had to look down to avoid parts of the graphic imagery. Bernstein added that the public will be able to view the video when it becomes evidence during the trial.

The preliminary hearing continues tomorrow. Lyons remains incarcerated on a $1 million bond.

12/07/15: Murder Charge, Civil Lawsuits
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office has charged a Detroit man with murder after his four pit bulls disemboweled an innocent little boy last week as he walked down Baylis Street with his mother. Geneke Antonio Lyons, 41, is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and possessing dangerous animals causing death in connection to the horrific death of 4-year old Xavier Strickland, according to a news release from the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.

“I want him to feel the pain I feel. I want him to feel the pain my son felt when those dogs were eating him." - Clarence Strickland, Xavier's father

The boy's parents also filed two lawsuits against the dogs' owner and the property owner. Both lawsuits were filed in Wayne County Circuit Court by his parents, Lucillie and Clarence Strickland, who are seeking damages. The couple is represented by Mark Bernstein of the Sam Bernstein Law Firm. Bernstein also represented Steve Constantine who survived catastrophic injuries in a pit bull attack last year. A judge later awarded Constantine a "symbolic" $100 million civil judgment.

The lawsuit filed by the Stricklands contains new information. For the first time, we are learning that multiple pit bulls dragged the boy across the street, about 30 feet total. The boy was "dragged across the street, under a fence, and into the yard of defendants and killed by multiple pit bulls," states the lawsuit. Lucillie also suffered severe and permanent injuries inflicted by a different pit bull owned by Lyons, in addition to witnessing the brutal murder of her son, states the lawsuit.

Lyons is no stranger to the legal system. In 1993, he was convicted in Wayne County Circuit Court of a felony possession of between 50 and 225 grams of cocaine. In 2005, Lyons was indicted on money laundering charges after he was stopped and arrested in Shamrock, Texas. Police seized $106,254 in cash he had stashed in his Jeep. Lyons then sued the state of Texas in an attempt to recoup the money seized, but lost in 2011. Those criminal charges were later dropped in 2013.

Lastly, the residence where the attack occurred on 15500 Baylis Street is owned by Genique Real Estate Management Company LLC, according to the city of Detroit's tax assessor website. It is a Michigan business that was registered under Geneke Lyons back in 2005, the Michigan Business Entity Search website shows. It is unclear what type of "real estate" activities the business engages in, but that will likely be closely scrutinized as the criminal and civil cases move forward.

12/06/15: Powerful Editorials Follow Death
In the wake of the savage pit bull attack that struck down 4-year old Xavier Strickland on December 2, Detroit newspapers quickly responded with bold editorials, asking the city to once again examine Detroit's enduring pit bull problem. Detroit has long been known as the dogfighting capital of the U.S. Dogfighting, pit bulls, the ceaseless backyard breeding of pit bulls and stray pit bulls are all part of the city's fabric. Dislodging this will not be easy, but it is what needs to be done.

Children are facing enough challenges in Detroit. The fangs of wild dogs should not be among them. - The Detroit News

On top of this, Senate Bill 239, which will prohibit all local governments in Michigan from enacting or enforcing breed-specific laws, sailed through the senate in October. Of the four senators representing Detroit, two voted against the bill, one in favor and the fourth, Sen. Bert Johnson, who was attacked by a pit bull in 2011, was absent. Yet, Johnson already clarified his position by voting in favor of SB 239 during the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing in September.

Currently, SB 239 is in the House Local Government Committee; a hearing is expected this week. Will anyone appear to oppose it? Or, will the room simply consist of Sen. David Robertson's office, who sponsored the bill, and the default lobbying group, Utah-based fighting dog advocates, Best Friends Animal Society? Silent supporters will also be present in the room, including the ASPCA, who in lieu of testimony ("do not wish to speak") will officially record their support of SB 239.

"I Wonder How Fast He Can Run?"

Over at the Detroit Free Press, columnist Rochelle Riley urged the city to adopt a pit bull ban, which could have been adopted 9-years ago. Riley laments the loss of former Detroit City Council member JoAnn Watson, who proposed the ban in 2006. Riley's choice words include "cowardice," when referring to city leaders who have talked about a ban for nearly three decades. Riley also remarks on pit bulls being "part of the fabric" of Detroit and that it is time for "new fabric."

It's time to revisit the ban ordinance that JoAnn Watson proposed back in 2006. How many more children have to die... - Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press

Riley also unleashes on the bill's sponsor. "I'd like to send state Sen. David Robertson, R-Grand Blanc and sponsor of Senate Bill 239, photos of Xavier Strickland's remains. No, I'd like him to drive down to Detroit and walk around the east side without a police escort," she writes. "I wonder how fast he can run?" Riley believes that local officials are best suited to make their own animal ordinance decisions to protect their residents, not state legislators, far removed in Lansing.1

Editorial note: The "idea" that state legislators might pass SB 239 -- and without a strong fight from local opposing voices -- is outrageous and dangerous. The passage of SB 239 will gravely impact Detroit and their ability to ever create "new fabric" in this area. Of the 19 states that have passed this type of preemptive legislation since the late 1980s, not a single one has managed to fully repeal it. Once this area of local control is gone, city officials can consider it gone for good.

12/03/15: Devastated Mother Speaks Out
The mother of 4-year old Xavier Strickland spoke to ABC 7 about the horrific mauling death of her son. Lucillie Strickland said these same pit bulls have bitten her 9-year old before. On Wednesday, as she walked with her son to an elementary school where she works as a volunteer, at least one of the four pit bulls escaped beneath a gap in the gate and yanked her son away. The dog dragged him back under the gate and along with three other pit bulls viciously attacked him.

"[Police] told me to stand back. They shot the dog. The dog that was on top of my son, he had to keep shooting it." - Lucillie Strickland

In devastation and tears, Lucillie said that she hopes the dogs' owner suffers after the brutal and nightmarish death of her son. "You should suffer, like we are suffering," she said. "We have lost our 4-year old son. You should be ashamed of yourself," she said. The ABC 7 video also shows the kennel run behind the gate of the pit bull owner's home on the corner of Baylis Street and John C Lodge Service Drive. The dogs' owner, still unnamed, continues to remain in police custody.

The Detroit Free Press adds more details about the previous biting incident. According to Xavier's uncle Ramone Cage, the first incident involved his niece. "The dog was biting her coat and book bag and she was able to get out and run home," Cage said. "My sister said she talked to someone and the police had already went to him, but since the dogs didn’t actually injure my niece, they just warned him. [The owner] said he was going to put them up but apparently he didn’t," Cage said.

12/02/15: Pit Bulls Savagely Kill Detroit Boy
Detroit, MI - In a horrific attack, four pit bulls savagely attacked and killed a 4-year old boy as he walked down a residential sidewalk with his mother. The pit bulls escaped beneath their owner's gate, snatched the boy away from his mother then yanked him back under the gate and brutally mauled him. Arriving officers shot and killed three of the dogs and took the fourth into custody. The child was rushed to the hospital in a police scout car, but did not survive his hideous injuries.

“Please help me get the dogs off my baby!” a 34-year-old neighbor said the child’s mother yelled. “They have my baby!” - Detroit Free Press

The violent attack occurred about 12:30 pm on Baylis Street along the Lodge Freeway. After the pit bulls dragged him under the gate and began ripping his flesh off, neighbors hurled bricks at the dogs to help free the boy. The attack continued until Detroit police arrived. They entered into the backyard of the home and open fired on the pit bulls, killing one; two others fled into the neighborhood. They were located and shot by police, according to Detroit Police Lt. Pride Henry.

According to witnesses, the pit bulls had gotten out the same way multiple times in the past. So far it is unknown if any of the dogs had a history of aggression, which is often a crucial element in bringing criminal charges. In many places it would not be enough that the man owned a "pack" of four pit bulls, that his pit bulls had previously escaped the same way then one day launched an explosive, predatory attack killing a child. The element of previous knowledge is still needed.

Evening Updates

By evening, the child was identified as Xavier Strickland. He was walking down the sidewalk with his mother Lucillie Strickland when he was murdered by four pit bulls. It was a backyard breeding operation, 2 adults and 2 younger offspring. The ClickonDetroit video also shows the three dead pit bulls in garbage bags being slung into a truck. Detroit Police Chief James Craig comments, "This is no different than what our officers deal with when they are dealing with armed suspects."

Currently, the dog's owner has been arrested for negligent homicide and is in police custody.

Graphic Medical study: Pitbull Mauling Deaths in Detroit, by Cheryl L. Loewe MD et al., The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, Vol 28, December 2007.

View the DogsBite.org Google State Map: Michigan Fatal Pit Bull Attacks.

1Unfortunately, Riley did not fully understand SB 239, which prohibits ALL forms of breed-specific laws. It is not limited to only "breed bans."

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