MI: Trial set in tot's dog mauling death

Rottweiler's owner faces up to 15 years in prison after the dog killed 4-month-old girl.
Christina Stolarz / The Detroit News

MOUNT CLEMENS -- Kylie Cox was a happy baby who never wanted to miss a thing. "She smiled a lot and she didn't like to sleep. She was very alert," said her grandmother, Lisa Livingston, 35, of Warren. "I have three kids of my own under the age of 4. I wanted them to all grow up together. She was blessing."

It's been a difficult year for Kylie's family as they cope with the loss of the 4-month-old, who was mauled to death on Sept. 12, 2007, by a Rottweiler at a gathering at a Warren home. They've held a funeral, celebrated her first birthday without her and, on Wednesday, head to Macomb Circuit Court for the trial of one of the dog's owners.

Christopher Fura, 20, is charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter, a 15-year felony. While prosecutors acknowledge the death was unintended, they say Fura and his stepbrother, Jason Winters, both of Warren, were criminally negligent when they took their dog, Chopper, to a gathering even though they were aware the dog was aggressive.

In the two-week period the brothers owned the 120-pound dog, authorities say it bit Fura on the hand, growled at a child and fought with another dog. The dog was euthanized by Macomb County officials the day after the attack. "The defendant exhibited gross negligence by taking a dog he knew to be dangerous to another person's house without having the dog leashed or otherwise under control," Macomb Assistant Prosecutor Steve Kaplan said.

Winters, 23, was sentenced this year to 36 months of probation on an involuntary manslaughter charge. Fura originally pleaded no contest, but withdrew his plea this summer after his presentence report indicated he would spend six months in jail.

Fura's defense attorney, Kenneth Vernier, declined comment.

Authorities say the incident occurred after then-17-year-old Alexis Cox arrived at the home with her daughter. Cox placed Kylie, who was in her carrier, on the living room floor to go into the kitchen to make her a bottle. In the kitchen, she saw two of her acquaintances -- Fura and Winters -- playing video games, and then saw the dog.

"She didn't know the dog was in the house," Kaplan said. "She said, 'What's that dog doing here?' The dog ran into the living room, grabbed the baby ... and pulls it out of the car seat. Within seconds, literally, the death occurred." Cox said she has mixed feelings about the trial -- she'll be glad when it's over but she doesn't want to see the dog's owners. She said the support of her family and friends and memories of her daughter have helped her cope. "It doesn't get easier," said Cox. But, "I have her pictures all in my room."

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