An Edmonton homeowner on trial for criminal negligence causing death has told a court that she repeatedly warned her roommate not to leave his 11-year-old son alone with her two massive Cane Corsos before the animals launched a fatal attack.
Crystal Jean MacDonald, 46, took the stand in her own defence at the Edmonton Court of King's Bench, where she faces a criminal charge following the tragic death of Kache Grist in April 2024. MacDonald testified that she had instituted a strict 'no-visitors' policy due to the dogs' escalating aggression, a boundary she claims the boy's father deliberately ignored.
The horrific incident occurred on 1 April 2024, while Kache was visiting his father, Wesley Grist, from British Columbia, for his school spring break. According to court testimony reported byCBC News, Wesley was working on a vehicle in the garage while his son went inside the house to play a new video game.
🚨NEW: 11-year-old boy was mauled to death by two Cane Corso dogs after his father allegedly ignored warnings not to let him stay in an apartment with the animals, which had previously mauled a woman and killed other petsKache Grist, 11, was visiting his father in Edmonton,…pic.twitter.com/00nUSxCDVY
Security footage from a neighbour's property captured the audio of Kache letting one of the dogs inside, followed shortly by muffled barking and the father's frantic screams.
Upon entering the kitchen, Wesley discovered his son lying on the floor surrounded by the two 100-pound dogs, named Khaos and Khairo. He said that when he grabbed Kache, the dogs pulled the boy again and tried to drag him away from his arms.
In an emotional testimony, the father described punching and kicking the animals to pull his son away, but Kache could not be saved. An autopsy later confirmed that the child died at the scene from afatal dog bite injuryto the neck. Both animals were subsequently euthanised by authorities.
Taking the witness stand, MacDonald stated that she was deeply upset when Wesley brought his son to the home unexpectedly, explaining that she had previously told him 'absolutely not' adding, 'I don't think it's a good idea,' when he requested the visit.
MacDonald testified through tears that she felt she had no choice but to let the boy stay once he arrived, though she insisted she repeatedly warned the father not to let the animal near Kache.
'Kache walked through the front door ... walked up to me and said, "Aunty!" and he gave me the biggest hug,' she recalled. 'I was happy to see Kache ... but I was upset that Wes did not respect my boundary about bringing him.'
Source: International Business Times UK
