An Edmonton woman, Crystal Jean MacDonald, has been sentenced to a conditional house arrest term of two years less a day for the tragic incident in 2024 when her two large Cane Corso dogs fatally attacked and killed 11-year-old Kache Grist. The judge, Justice Eric Macklin, handed down the sentence at the Edmonton Court of King’s Bench following MacDonald’s conviction for criminal negligence causing death earlier in the year.
As part of her sentence, MacDonald is prohibited from owning, supervising, or controlling dogs for life, with the possibility to request a modification after a decade. Additionally, she is required to complete 200 hours of community service. Justice Macklin highlighted various aggravating factors, such as MacDonald’s failure to adequately train her dogs, previous attacks on humans and pets, the vulnerability of the victim, and the gruesome nature of Kache’s death. Despite these factors, the judge acknowledged MacDonald’s remorse and lack of malicious intent.
MacDonald will serve her house arrest sentence in Penticton, British Columbia. While the prosecution sought a five-year prison term, the defense argued for a shorter conditional sentence. During the sentencing hearing, emotional victim impact statements were delivered, including one from Kache’s father, Wesley Grist, who expressed his ongoing grief and emphasized that he did not seek retribution, as MacDonald would have to live with the consequences of her actions.
Testimonies during the trial revealed that MacDonald’s dogs, Khaos and Khairo, were euthanized after the fatal attack, with Khaos weighing around 56 kilograms and Khairo over 49 kilograms at the time. Kache Grist, visiting from Osoyoos, B.C., was tragically killed while staying at MacDonald’s residence during a spring break visit. MacDonald was not present when the attack occurred, and previous warnings were given regarding the dogs’ behavior.
Throughout the trial, it was disclosed that the dogs had a history of aggression, including attacks on humans and pets. MacDonald acknowledged being aware of this behavior but believed she had taken appropriate measures to address it. Ultimately, Justice Macklin attributed Kache’s death to MacDonald’s failure to prevent harm from the unrestrained and potentially dangerous animals.
The sentencing marks the conclusion of a tragic case that has deeply impacted all involved parties, with MacDonald expressing her profound sorrow and love for Kache, while the victim’s family continues to grapple with their loss.
