Owner of pitbulls that killed Calif. boy arrested

Published 12:00 am Friday, July 23, 2010

CONCORD, Calif. (AP) — The owner of the pit bulls that attacked and killed a 2-year-old California boy has been arrested.

Police say Steven Hayashi was arrested Thursday afternoon on suspicion of felony child endangerment and possession of mischievous animals that result in death.

The boy killed in the attack has been identified by the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office as Jacob Bisbee.

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Authorities describe the 52-year-old Hayashi as the step-grandfather of the boy. He was being held on $125,000 bail. It was not known if Hayashi had hired an attorney.

Police say the child was attacked after walking into the garage where the three pitbulls were kept around 8:45 a.m. Thursday.

Authorities say the three pit bulls who attacked the boy, along with two other dogs that were in the home’s yard, were euthanized within hours of the attack.