• 26
  • July
    2010

A California man is in jail after his two-year-old step-grandson was attacked and killed by three of his five Pit Bulls. Steven Hayashi has claimed to have to no idea how the toddler got into the garage where the dogs were kept, as it is usually locked. However it happened, Hayashi is making no excuses for himself or the dogs and has expressed sincere regret since the Thursday attack.

The biggest tragedy, as with most dog attacks, is the ease with which the mauling may have been prevented.

The dog believed to have instigated the attack, bearing the deceptively gentle name "Kiwi," had already killed another pet - the family's Chihuahua - just before Hayashi's grandchildren moved in with him. Still, the dog was not reported or put down, though Hayashi acknowledged that he did not trust the animal around the young children.

Even before that, though, Hayashi likely made a mistake by not having his first Pit Bull, "Sadie," spayed. She was pregnant when he got her from an animal shelter, bearing two puppies shortly after he brought her home. However, even after that, he let the issue sit. When she became pregnant again, two more Pit Bulls were added to the household.

Pit Bulls are larger, athletic dogs and require plenty of attention and exercise. Keeping three of them in a garage and attempting to keep five in a city home seems a quick way to produce restless and agitated dogs.

Plus, dogs that have not been neutered or spayed tend to be more aggressive. Especially with Pit Bulls, this is a necessary procedure for someone who is not planning on breeding the animal.

Hayashi could potentially face charges of child endangerment and possessing a mischievous animal that causes death.

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