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The owner of three pit bulls who killed a 2-year-old boy Thursday has been charged in connection with the child’s death, authorities in California said.
Steven Hayashi, 52, was arrested for child endangerment and possessing a mischievous animal that causes death or great bodily injury, the Concord Police Department said in a statement. He is being held on $120,000 bail.
According to police, the fatal attack occurred just after 8:45am on Thursday. The victim, who authorities said was the suspect’s step-grandchild, was inside the family’s home with two adult relatives and a young sibling.
The child walked into a garage where three of the family’s pit bulls were being kept, police said. The dogs mauled the boy, who was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police continue to investigate the incident.
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I don't have Pit Bulls and therefore don't worry about this happening to me and my family, but I'll repeat once again what I read about this subject some years ago. I believe the article appeared in "Science News", a weekly scientific periodical that relies on subscriptions and not on advertising to avoid conflicts of interest.
The article stated that scientific studies had concluded that Dobermans, Pit Bulls and Rottweilers suffer from a genetic defect in the "cognizant" or recognition area of their brains, whereby the blood vessels to the area will suffer a collapse for no apparent rhyme or reason. This collapse of the blood vessels in the "recognition" area has the effect that the dog will not recognize anyone, including his owners who may have fed him since being a puppy. In other words, the person standing in front of them becomes a threat, a piece of meat to eat or both.
This, the article went on, explained why we hear the stories over and over again, about these dogs mauling their owners or children with whom they grew-up.
Tonya, for starter's, you shouldn't say, Never! Just because your dog is registered. Doesn't mean squat! Because of their reputation's, I, myself would not even take the chance to own one. Little children can sneak away fast. If, the dogs were in the garage. Maybe, he knew the risk's involved. Trying to avoid danger to the children.
how can u blame this on the breed of dog!? or the dogs period?! i've read about this story on a few other websites. it's obsured. Why are the dogs in the garage? california weather this time of the year in a garage? i hope there was adequete ventilation in there for the dogs. shows piss poor ownership. Did the dogs really ATTACK the child? highly highly doubtful. Who was watching the child? I also am a VERY proud owner of a pit bull. he's been around child quite a bit and has NEVER showed signs of aggresion. This was clearly not an issue of dogs. the owners and parents should be punished for this.
I have had dogs all my life. Dogs need the same as children: SUPERVISION! I would never let any of my dogs near small children unsupervised! All dogs have hunting instinct, and are unpredictable! After all they evolved from Wolves!
On last thing: I do hope that the family of that little boy could forgive the irresponsibilities of the owners of those dogs for their own sanitys' sake; and I just hope that they realize the dogs were being dogs, doing what dogs do. The responsibility falls on whoever WAS responsible for the child and of course, the owners of the pitbulls, not the pitbulls! I guess you can tell I love animals, and I do. I have cats too and they got along with the dogs. SO YOU ALL HAVE MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS.
I have been very long-winded about my dogs, who happened to be pitbulls; however, I am an advocate for the pitbull in general because I believe that they do get a 'bad rep'. When those dogs get out or loose, hadn't been socialized or trained and end up mauling and/or killing, as many other breeds can do, the owners are the real problem! They are the irresponsible lunatics that had no business with the dog anyway! They're the involuntary maulers and manslaughterers! Many of them need to be put to sleep!
Such a sad story. My two pitties go walking, rollerblading with me in public. They hang out with people. They've been to obedience class, and they are very sweet... but they are animals. I don't allow them into an uncontrolled situation where they can potentially harm someone. ..just as I did in the past with my golen retreiver, Greyhound, German Shephard, and Poodle. ..but the most viscious dog I've ever had was a beagle. Please don't isolate your animals! They need to be socialized, respected and exercised.
Any medium or large breed dog can be dangerous, especially to children, if it hasn't been properly trained and socialized. We hear about Pit Bulls more than other breeds because they are very popular among certain social groups that are less likely to train and contain their dogs responsibly. However, it is imperative that all owners of large dogs learn proper training techniques and make the time to socialize their animals. If you feel that large breeds should be banned, please take a look at your local Search and Rescue group, therapy and service dogs. You may be surprised to learn that, given proper care and handling, all large breeds can loyally serve mankind.
With all the news about pitbulls injuring or killing people, why would anyone have kids around these dogs or vise sersa? I don't care how friendly people think their dogs are, they have to be extremly careful. My mother always told me, "dogs do not have rubber teeth!" My grand-kids have a little dog, ( I said little) and he's so cute, and I was always scared of dogs, but this one even though I love him, I am so careful. You never know how a dog will react to it's owners furthermore a kid, so people should be more careful with any type of dog. My condolences goes out to the family of this child.
I am sure that many dog owners think that thier dogs are friendly. But like all predators, dogs will attack and kill . Children should not be allowed around dogs unattended. Not to add to the parents pain but WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU !!!!!!!
i am a very proud and responsible pit bull owner... and i am dumb founded at all the accusations that alot of these dogs are pitbulls and most of the time they are muts or mixes of somewhat... it doesn't look good to say "Mutt kills boy" but "pitbull kills boy" is a headliner. It is very troubeling that these animals were being kept in a garage for starters! And I'm sure it's not the first time these dogs showed aggression. Alot of dogs are scared or don't undertand babies are small people and they attack... absolutly poor dog ownership... u cant really blame the dogs... this is the owners fault for letting this happen.. shameful! My pit bull is registered and would NEVER hurt anyone!!!
nice pets... why were they being kept in the garage? who was the adult in charge of WATCHING the child? with all the stories concerning this particular type of dog, why in the world would anyone allow a child in the vicinity of one?
my condolences to the family and parents.