Crown seeks 5 years in prison for dog owner convicted in death of 11-year-old Edmonton boy
Posted September 2, 2026 5:35 pm.
A judge is deciding if a woman whose two dogs killed an 11-year-old boy in south Edmonton two years ago should spend time behind bars or be under house arrest.
Crystal MacDonald was found guilty of criminal negligence causing death after her two large and unneutered Cane Corsos killed Kache Grist at her home on April 1, 2024.
Kache was in Edmonton visiting his dad Wesley Grist on spring break and died from bite injuries to his neck. Wesley Grist was living with MacDonald at the time.
While the Crown wants five years in prison for MacDonald, the defence is arguing instead for three-and-half years of house arrest.
MacDonald, through tears Wednesday, said she loved the boy and will spend the rest of her life loving and grieving him, wishing she could change what happened.
She’s asking to serve her sentence in the community in British Columbia where she now lives, having left Alberta because of social media backlash.
The trial heard the dogs, which weighed more than 100 pounds, had a history of violence. Prior to killing Kache, they had already attacked and bit two people, and killed a small dog and cat.
When the judge found MacDonald guilty, he said she failed to take steps to protect the boy, such as not training the dogs properly and not keeping them on a leash or chain in the boy’s presence.
The judge also said it was inappropriate for her to expect the boy’s father – her roommate at the time – to protect Kache from the dogs by himself.
Wesley Grist told the court through tears Wednesday that he’s reminded of his son every day, feeling trapped between grief, guilt, public pressure and the legal process during the trial.
He also said MacDonald loved Kache too, and that he doesn’t believe she’s evil, saying his son “would not want more lives destroyed in his memory.”
The judge is expected to sentence MacDonald Thursday afternoon.
–With files from Lauren Boothby
