Two men charged in connection with brutal dog attack in court Wednesday

CASSOPOLIS, Mich. -- Arial Harrison, the 2-year-old that was brutally attacked by a dog, continues to recover in a Grand Rapids hospital.

The two men, who were charged with several misdemeanors stemming from the incident, appeared in Cass County court Wednesday.

Vashaun Morgan, 21, and his roommate Justin Smith, 22, were charged with more than a dozen misdemeanors in the attack.

Seventeen counts in all for Morgan and 11 for Smith.

"In Michigan these things are determined in the courtroom and not determined in discussions outside the courtroom. Charges were brought and the magistrate found probable cause for each of those charges." said Victor Fitz, Cass County Prosecutor.

"The dog belonged to Justin Smith, why is his roommate being charged with it? This is grandstanding by the Cass County Prosecutor's Office and this isn't the first occasion and If I have anything to do with it, it won't be the last,” Defense Attorney Edwin Johnson explained.

As Arial Harrison continues to recover in the hospital, Smith and Morgan will make their next court appearance on June 22nd at 9 a.m.