An 11-year-old boy tragically lost his life after being attacked by two Cane Corso dogs, despite repeated warnings against his presence around them, a court has learned.
The incident occurred in April 2024 at a residence in Edmonton, Canada, where the young boy, Kache Grist, was staying with his father, Wesley Grist. The dogs’ owner, Crystal MacDonald, is currently facing charges related to this heartbreaking event.
MacDonald, who has pleaded not guilty to criminal negligence causing death, revealed in court that the dogs had a history of aggression. Prior to the fatal attack, the dogs had reportedly assaulted a female neighbor and killed both a Pomeranian and a cat.
At the time of the incident, MacDonald and Wesley Grist were living together as roommates. Kache, who resided in British Columbia, was visiting his father during his spring break when the tragedy occurred.
During her testimony, MacDonald stated that she had expressed her concerns about Kache staying at the home. She pointed out that the dogs had previously attacked a woman in the backyard just two months earlier.
‘I said, “Absolutely not, I don’t think it’s a good idea,”‘ MacDonald told the court, according to CTV News.
Before Kache’s death, the two dogs, named Khaos and Kairo, each weighing more than 100 pounds, mauled Tina Kelepouris, leaving her with three broken ribs, a punctured lung and more than a dozen stitches.
Wesley Grist testified that he was cleaning tools in the garage when Kache went inside to play a new video game.Â
When he entered the house, he found his son lying in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor with the two dogs standing nearby.
Kache Grist, 11, was visiting his father in Edmonton during spring break when he was attacked inside the home by two Cane Corsos in Apil 2024
The two Cane Corsos, Kairo and Khaos, are seen in the yard of the home after Kache’s deathÂ
MacDonald and Kache’s father, Wesley Grist, were roommates at the time
But MacDonald said Grist ignored her warning and arrived at the house with his son anyway.
She testified that she repeatedly told Grist not to leave Kache alone with the dogs and warned the boy that the animals had previously attacked both people and pets.
MacDonald also tried to board the dogs at a kennel during Kache’s visit, but they were turned away because they did not have the required vaccinations.
The day before he died, MacDonald hid Easter eggs filled with chocolate and money around the house for Kache.
On the day of the attack, she said she placed the dogs in their kennels before leaving for work.
Later that day, she received a phone call telling her that Kache had been killed.
An autopsy found the boy died from a bite wound to the neck. The dogs were later euthanized.
Wesley Grist testified that he was in the garage cleaning tools when Kache went inside to play a new video game.
Kache pictured with his mom Kendrah
A photo of one of Crystal MacDonald’s Cane Corso dogs is displayed on her refrigerator
Court heard the boy then let Khaos into the house from the backyard.
During cross-examination, prosecutor Anders Quist asked MacDonald whether she knew the dogs were capable of killing the boy.
‘I knew they were capable of killing anyone,’ she said.
The trial continues.Â