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Step-Grandfather Formally Charged in Pit Bull Death

Steven Hayashi, 52, continues to be held in the county jail in Martinez on $120,000 dollars bail. Contra Costa deputy district attorney John Cope says the Concord man will be charged with felony child endangerment and possession of a mischievous animal that causes death.

Hayashi's two-year-old step grandson was attacked by three of the family's five pit bulls last week. All of the dogs have since been euthanized. In a jailhouse interview, Hayashi told reporters that he had made a bad decision in keeping the dogs.

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Police say the toddler had gotten into the garage where the dogs were kept; Hayashi says the garage door was usually locked with a deadbolt. The case was under review by the Contra Costa District Attorney's office, but now the DA's office has decided to file felony criminal charges.

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