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Dog Owner Gets Jail, Probation In Detroit Boy's Fatal Mauling

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - The owner of four pit bulls that killed a 4-year-old Detroit boy will spend a year in jail, followed by five years of intensive probation after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

Geneke Lyons received his sentence Thursday morning in Wayne County Circuit Court. He was found guilty earlier this month. As part of his sentence, Lyons is also prohibited from owning a dog or having contact with dogs from this day forward.

The judge said Lyons would be allowed to have work release during his jail sentence.

Xavier Strickland was walking with his mother in December when they were attacked by the dogs. Police had to shoot the animals to free the boy's body.

Lyons wasn't home at the time. But prosecutors said he should be held responsible because the dogs weren't under control. The evidence included security video of the fatal mauling, which left some jurors in tears.

Xavier Strickland
Xavier Strickland (Handout photo)

Defense attorney Francisco Villarruel told jurors it was an awful accident, not a crime.

Lyons addressed the court before his sentence was handed down, apologizing to Xavier's family.

"I'm really, really sorry. I mean sorry, very, very sorry for Xavier losing his life," said Lyons. "And I wish I could have made it back in time to save or to stop or to put the dogs down."

Lucille Strickland, the boy's mother, said she accepted Lyons' apology.

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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