Dogs That Killed Michigan Man Will Be Euthanized

A Cane Corso dog, the same breed that mauled a 46-year-old jogger in Lapeer, Mich., on July 23.  CBS DETROIT

The American Kennel Club defines a cane corso as a muscular and large-boned dog, historically kept as a property watchdog that hunted wild boar. 

Today, they are known to be affectionate to their owner and bond closely with children and family. The large and athletic breed requires a lot of exercise but can be easily trained.

LAPEER, Mich. - A couple whose two dogs mauled a jogger on a rural Michigan road have been charged with murder, reports CBS Detroit.

Sebastiano Quagliata, 45, and Valbona Lucaj, 44, are due in Lapper District Court Friday on charges of second-degree murder and possessing a dangerous animal causing death, according to the station. Warrants were issued against the couple on Thursday.

Craig Sytsma, 46, of Livonia, Mich., was out jogging was attacked by two cane corso dogs and he later died from his wounds.

In addition to the murder charges, federal authorities said Quagliata and Lucaj are Italian and Albanian, respectively, living in the U.S. illegally. A report in the Detroit Free Press stated they were facing imminent deportation at the time of the attack. 

Authorities said it was the third attack by the dogs in the past two years. The couple was apparently breeding dogs at their property, officials said.

Hodges said the two cane corsos involved in the attack were maybe two-and-a-half feet tall.   The dogs have a history of escaping from their kennel and have bitten at least twice before.

The station reports police looked into both incidents before turned the cases over to animal control officials. The owners were ticketed but the dogs were never removed, Saltsman said.

The American Kennel Club defines a cane corso as a muscular and large-boned dog, historically kept as a property watchdog that hunted wild boar. Today, they are known to be affectionate to their owner and bond closely with children and family. The large and athletic breed requires a lot of exercise but can be easily trained.

 

Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/michigan-couple-charged-with-murder-after-dogs-fatally-maul-jogger/