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The owner of four pit bulls who mauled a four-year-old boy to death last week is now facing murder charges.

According to The Detriot Free Press, Geneke Antonio Lyons, 41, was arraigned Monday afternoon and charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and possessing dangerous animals causing death.

Clarence and Lucille Strickland, the parents of Xavier, welcomed the charges against Lyons and stated through attorney Mark Bernstein they hope the arraignment ends the problem of irresponsible dog ownership the area has dealt with for some time. Lucille Strickland was walking with her son last Wednesday when two of Lyons’ pits escaped from a fence and attacked the small child.

Strickland tried to protect Xavier, but the boy was dragged from her and pulled under the fence where two other pits attacked him. While neighbors tried to help by hitting the dogs with sticks, Strickland watched in horror.

Xavier was pronounced dead at a local hospital, succumbing to the injuries from the attack.

Police killed three of the dogs and a fourth dog was quarantined and later euthanized. During the press conference about the incident, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy told reporters the dogs believed Xavier was a meal.

The Detriot Free Press reports:

“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,” Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a news release, announcing the criminal charges. “It is a gross understatement to say that this case is harrowing example of irresponsible pet ownership.”

Mr. Strickland told reporters he wants Lyons to feel the extent of pain their family has because of the incident.

“Life in jail, no parole, electric chair, I just want him to feel the pain I feel,” said Clarence Strickland, the father of Xavier Strickland. “Feel the pain my son felt when those dogs were eating him up, just feel the pain. My son getting mauled, I never expected it. …To snatch a baby from up under his mama, drag him under the fence and eat him like he was dog food or something, it’s terrible. I never expected this.”

SOURCE: The Detriot Free Press | VIDEO CREDIT: Inform

 

Owner Of Pit Bulls Who Mauled Detroit 4-Year-Old To Death Charged With Murder  was originally published on newsone.com