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Pierre Cleveland, 33, was arrested and charged on Thursday with
involuntary manslaughter and having dangerous animals, as well
as the murder charge, several media outlets, including the
Detroit Free Press, reported.
The child, Emma Hernandez, 9, was riding her bicycle near her
home in Detroit on Monday, the last day of summer vacation, when
she was attacked and killed by the dogs despite efforts by
neighbors to save her.
One neighbor used a brick to hit the dogs and a second neighbor
shot one with a pistol, media reports said.
Cleveland's family cried during his hearing on Thursday, where
he entered a not guilty plea, media reported.
His attorney, Emmett Greenwood, asked the judge for a reduced
bond, describing the $2 million set as "outrageous" because his
client has no criminal record and was not a flight risk. The
judge declined.
Cleveland's Detroit home is across the street from where the
child lived, and news media reported that neighbors had long
complained to the city about his dogs running loose through a
broken fence.
A makeshift memorial of balloons, flowers and toy animals was
setup in front of the child's home by well-wishers.
Memorials for the child were being planned for the weekend.
(Reporting by Rich McKay; Editing by Paul Tait)
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