Father of 11-year-old boy killed by dogs in Edmonton testifying in owner's trial

Wesley Grist's 11-year-old son Kache was attacked and killed by two dogs. At a press conference April 7, 2024, he defended the dogs' owner and urged the public to give the family privacy while they grieve. (Brandon Lynch/CTV News Edmonton)

The father of an 11-year-old boy killed by two large dogs described finding his son’s bloodied body on the kitchen floor with the animals surrounding him.

Wesley Grist is testifying in Edmonton today in the trial of the dogs’ owner, Crystal MacDonald.

She has pleaded not guilty to criminal negligence causing death after Kache Grist was killed by her two Cane Corsos at her home in April 2024.

Grist says he was MacDonald’s roommate at the time and his son, who lived in British Columbia, was visiting him for spring break.

He says he was working on a car in the garage when his son asked him if he could go inside and play with his new video game.

He says the boy went inside, and soon after, he found his son’s lifeless body in the kitchen.

Grist says he threw the dogs out into the backyard when one tried to grab hold of the boy again.

He then called 911, but the boy was declared dead after first responders arrived.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2026.

Daniela Germano, The Canadian Press