METAMORA TOWNSHIP, MI – Second-degree murder warrants were issued Thursday, July 31, against the couple who the Lapeer County prosecutor says owned the Cane Corso dogs that killed a Livonia man while he was jogging July 23.

Lapeer County Prosecutor Tim Turkelson said the second-degree murder warrants were issued for 45-year-old Sebastiano Quagliata and 44-year-old Valbona Lucaj. Turkelson said his office also added a count for each owner of possession of a dangerous animal causing death, which qualifies for up to 15 years in prison if they are convicted.

Craig Sytsma, 46, died after he was attacked by two dogs as he jogged along Thomas Road in Metamore Township. The Livonia native was working at Eltro Services in Oxford when he decided to go for a run just before 5:30 p.m. on July 23.

Quagliata was taken into custody at his place of employment in Washtenaw County on Thursday, July 31, Turkelson said, and Lucaj is expected to turn herself in tonight.

The couple are scheduled to be arraigned in Lapeer District Court at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 1.

Turkelson said an investigation determined both Lucaj and Quagliata were the legal owners of the dogs.

"Throughout the course of the investigation it became apparent to us that both people exercised control and ownership interests over the dogs, be it registration records, veterinarian records, and license records." Turkelson said.

An attorney for the pair could not be reached for comment.

A hearing was scheduled for Friday, Aug. 1, to decide the fate of the two Cane Corso dogs responsible for the attack, along with eight other dogs removed from the home on Thomas Road. Turkelson said at this time he is not sure if the hearing will proceed, because his office still hasn't received the stipulation in writing from the dogs owners to agree to the euthanasia.

That hearing was scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, but Turkelson said his office may have to adjourn it at this time.

The two dogs responsible for the fatal attack were taken to Lapeer County Animal Control, where they were kept in quarantine. The remaining adult dog and seven puppies were taken on Friday from the house and kept at animal control.

A Cane Corso is described by the American Kennel Club as a "mastiff type" dog that ranges in size from 23.5 to 27.5 inches tall at the shoulder.

Amanda Emery is a police reporter for MLive-Flint Journal. Contact her at aemery@mlive.com or 810-285-0792. Follow her on Twitter or Facebook.