A 3-year old boy died days after after being attacked by two pit bulls in Brooklynn Park.
Toddler Dies
UPDATE 07/30/24: A GoFundMe organized by family friends was created for Tasha and her son, Covil Allen, who "were involved in a horrific dog attack on July 19th," stated the fund on July 24. The fund was created on July 20, and has raised over $60,000. Covil gained his wings on July 29. An update posted on July 30 states that Covil "was able to donate his heart last night." His heart went to help save a 1-year old girl. The update contains several images from the honor walk held Monday night.
The mother was seriously injured while trying to save her child. Tasha has "already had two surgeries and will be having a third on her calf to repair the damage," states the fundraiser. A skin graft will also be required, states the fund. Multiple unverified screenshots sent into our nonprofit indicate the child's family was visiting the dog owner's home on Brooklyn Park Drive North on July 19 in order to obtain one of the pit bull puppies. Additional information is expected to be released by police.
Sale of Dog Confirmed
WCCO obtained a search warrant from police concerning the circumstances of the attack, which states, "There was going to be a sale of dogs taking place at the address" right before the attack happened. The little boy and his family came to the home on Brooklyn Park Drive North to purchase a dog. When the two pit bulls began to attack the child, adults in the area "started to defend the 3-year-old by using hammers and pickaxes to get the dogs off," according to a police search warrant.
Police stormed through the property's fence to reach the boy, and shot both dogs involved in the attack, killing one. The dog that survived was later put down. "All the pieces need to be put together to give us as clear as possible picture of what happened," said Inspector Elliot Faust with Brooklyn Park police. Faust promised to "leave no stone unturned" and that "we want the investigation to be as thorough as we possibly can make it." Police are asking for patience as they continue to investigate.
Items being sought in the search warrant include:
-Physical evidence including DNA collection, latent finger print collection, blood or blood like substance collection.
-Any instruments, that could have been used to remove the dogs from the victim.
-Documents, Photographs, cell phones, video surveillance, or other paperwork or electronic devices that tend to show ownership/renter of the premises or tends to show ownership, possession, or constructive possession of the evidence.
-Any documents to show ownership for the animals including but not limited to rabies vaccination, vet bills, sale paperwork, etc.
Pit Bull-American Bulldog
The Minneapolis Star Tribune, which is behind a paywall, reports that police collected the vaccination and medical records for the two dogs, "Blue" and "Nisi." The attack occurred in the backyard. One of the dogs started the attack and the other joined in. Inspector Faust specified that the dogs are American bullies, a mixture of pit bull and American bulldog. Faust said the two dogs were of "the XL variety." A breed that was recently banned in the UK, Scotland, and soon to be banned in Ireland.
Covil Allen, 3-years old, died on July 29, 2024 after being attacked by two pit bulls, according to a fundraiser for his parents, Natasha Palacios Vega and Charles Allen, of Champlin.
07/20/24: Boy Critically Injured
Brooklynn Park, MN - A 3-year old boy remains in critical condition after being attacked by two pit bulls Friday. Brooklynn Park police were dispatched to a home in the 7500 block of Brooklyn Park Drive North at approximately 12:45 pm for a report of a dog attack. Video from WCCO shows the wooden fence that police stormed through to reach the boy. Officers shot both dogs, killing one, while both dogs were actively attacking the child. The boy was visiting the home when he was attacked.
Dog Attack - On July 19, 2024, at 12:45 PM, officers of the Brooklyn Park Police Department were dispatched to a report of a dog attacking a 3-year-old child in the 7500 block of Brooklyn Park Drive N. Upon arrival, officers found two pit bulls actively attacking the child. Several officers discharged their service weapons, striking both dogs, killing one and injuring the other. The child was rescued by officers, and life-saving efforts were performed. The child was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital and is in critical condition. The injured dog was secured and transported to a nearby animal care facility. Police detectives were called to the scene, and an investigation into the incident is underway. - Brooklyn Park, MN - Police Department
Footage from WCCO shows an "Affordable Electric" business truck in the driveway of the home. WCCO also spoke to neighbor Angie Towers who is "part of the problem." Towers states, "The dogs though have always been very nice, they've been to my house, they've played with my dogs." Anecdotes don't save lives. Pit bulls are responsible for over 65% of fatal human attacks in the US. Some of them had "good" owners and others had "bad" owners; this does not change statistical facts.
The owners are also backyard breeders. Towers states, "My concern is the one female dog just had a litter of puppies." Of the thousands of animal shelters at capacity right now, most overflowing with unwanted pit bulls, what kind of people are breeding pit bulls? The owners of these dogs are the central "part of the problem." It is not just the failure to spay/neuter, it is the "willful" continuation to breed pit bulls while for nearly two decades, this breed has filled 40-60% of all shelter inventory.
KARE 11 spoke with police, who provided a dramatic retelling of the events. Brooklyn Park Police Precinct Inspector Elliot Faust called the attack "horrific" and credited officers for saving the child's life. "Those officers were heroes," Faust said. "That child would not even be at a hospital right now if those officers had not done what they did. There's not a whole lot of time to react and there's not a whole lot of alternatives that can mitigate that attack, and the risk of injury at the moment," Faust said.
One adult was also "severely" injured trying to stop the attack, reports KSTP. That adult was a female, reports KARE 11. Investigators say the dogs belong to the home where the attack occurred. The attack occurred while the boy was playing on playground equipment outside the home, according to police. The injured pit bull was secured and transported to an animal care facility, police said. No information was released by police about the alleged puppies. The violent dog attack remains under investigation.
Minnesota Pit Bull Attacks
Recent high-profile pit bull attacks in Minnesota include a Saint Paul child mauled by five pit bulls in February that had a history of aggression. The dogs' owner, Marco Antonio Mendoza Landaverde, was later charged with four misdemeanors. In April 2023, Dezmond Trawick, 22-years old, was killed by his brother's four pit bulls while dog sitting at his Brookyln Center home. After his neighbor, Jerry Nelson, tried to intervene, he explained the canines were "big, giant, dogs and I couldn't get them off of him."
Brooklynn Park police storm through fence to save boy being attacked by two pit bulls.
A pit bull seen exiting a vehicle on the property after the attack in the KARE 11 video.
We managed to get a few photographs from the dog owner's Facebook page before the page was deactivated. This was posted on July 7, less than 2 weeks ago. The context is unknown.
Related articles:
05/15/23: 2023 Dog Bite Fatality: Man, 22, Killed by Brother's Four Pit Bulls While Dog Sitting
Law enforcement departments across the United States should release consistent "baseline" information to the media and the public after each fatal dog mauling, including these items.
Nearly nannied to death, again. Hope the poor kid makes it. No one with two firing brain cells would allow their kid to be near a home with pits but 40 years of propaganda has done its damage.
Yes, this woman is “part of the problem.” We hear the same old script after every killing or mauling. Pitbulls are often “very nice” until they attack; unprovoked and with deadly force. This little guy was on play equipment, I bet nowhere near the litter of future maulers. BTW, I’ve owned dogs that have had puppies and not one tried to kill me or a family member. I hope this child recovers. It sounds like he was terribly injured. Bless his heart.
Exactly Teresa. I grew up in a neighbourhood where dogs were frequently hopping fences or roaming around producing litters of Lord-knows-what crossbreeds.
While a few kids may have been growled at or nipped for messing with their pups, I never heard of anyone going to the hospital from being shredded by the dam to the point of critical care.
What’s changed since then?
1) Pitbulls
2) Training methods
3) Not really dog people owning dogs
4) Pitbulls.
6) Molasser breeds as household pets
7) Pitbulls
Thank you Colleen for reporting on this. It ought to be national news that children are being brutally savaged by animals. I wish America would wake up and be alerted to the problem of fighting dog breeds in our midst, the violence they are capable of and prone to, the lives being destroyed. This young person shouldn’t have to endure this pain, scarring, and probable disability.
These dogs are so extremely reactive it’s ridiculous. Recently I was on a trip and my husband and we were walking on a trail in an open park. About 50 ft away an older “gentleman” sat on a bench with his pitbull. One of my ankles rolled underneath me, resulting in a step that was louder, different in sound (slide on gravel) and out of rhythm. The pit went ballistic immediately, turning lurching, barking, trying to get away from its owner. I am very lucky that he didn’t lose control of the leash in his hand. It was triggered by a sound. You can imagine that a child on playground equipment would easily trigger a pit. It could be as simple as falling off of the equipment, clanging swings together, or making any other loud sound. In any household breaking a glass could result in an attack.
Affordable Electric of Twin Cities, Inc. is a publicly registered business with the same address as where the attack occurred. The information is public on the Minnesota Secretary of State website.
Are there any updates on how the child is doing?
Just saw an updated YT video about attack. Child is on life support, no brain activity & being prepped for organ donation! RIP little one! Mom has had two surgeries, needs more. Reporter’s made a very BIG DEAL about informing viewer’s that attacking dogs were not Pitbulls, but American bulldogs! It was even posted in writing on screen! It sounded so out of place & weird that a news agency was immediately running defence for Pitbulls! Afraid that people would jump to conclusions that they were Frankenmauler’s!
Absolutely astonishing! One dog was shot by police during the attack & died, the other was injured & later euthanized. I just don’t understand why adult’s would expose vulnerable children, senior’s & pets to Bloodsport dog’s! Have IQ’s dropped sharply?
Is it brainwashing propaganda used by the dogfighting industry to recruit useful idiot advocates as their cover/breed promoter’s or simply denial that a happy wigglebutt could transform into your executioner? Many people are no longer able to draw sensible conclusions to save themselves or their loved one! I’m thinking the only explanation is that the Woke mind virus has infected the dog world & destroyed good judgment & pattern recognition.
They see Pitbulls not just as an abused breed, which they are, but as the oppressed underdog (like some racial minorities) who demand righteous defending. Anyone who criticizes or speaks against them is an evil oppressor & a breed racist (I literally heard this said by owner’s/advocates many times) & must be viciously fought against! So hard to reach these people! They just ignore & excuse the litany of casualties!
Just to clarify. Minority groups can *say* “this or that is oppressing my community”
As it stands, millionaire dogfighters profiting from fighting and selling pitbulls alongside those that run cover for them are the ones doing the speaking. This is “savior complex” writ large for the stupidest cause, imaginable. The right for other dogs and people to be murdered by someone’s choice of dog breed.
When the pitbulls start talking for themselves, I’m all ears.
Boni, don’t you know that mauling is a dog’s way of trying to be heard?
It seems this little boy, Covil Allen, is not expected to survive 🙁
The lie that pitbulls make good family dogs leads to mayhem. People who breed pitbull puppies… I have nothing good to say about them. I hope a lawsuit will come and wipe out any profits these backyard breeders made. I don’t know if they were friends of the victim’s family or strangers.
This is yet another case where the puppies of a killer dog should be destroyed (but likely won’t be).
The irony! They were potentially there to choose a puppy when the adult dogs mauled them both causing the death of a child and disfigurement his mother. The family should sue them “to the moon” and back. What a horrific way to learn this lesson.
I read all of the comments and totally agree. Dogs are dangerous. I have two small breed dogs who have tried to bite me when they have been in pain and so forth. Dogs can be triggered by many things. The risks associated with American Bulldogs and Pit Bull dogs are too high. We need to make it illegal to own/breed/sell. Their owners aren’t doing enough for the public’s safety.
What’s interesting is that people are fighting on the FB page about whether it was pitbulls or bulldogs. The news said pitbulls, however, even the mother of the child is saying bulldogs. And, yes, she was there to buy a puppy. From what I’m seeing here, it sure looks like pits and a rottie.
Keep in mind that an “American Bulldog” is just a XL Pit.
I saw that!
Right, Colleen. Why would this mother even bother to get online and “defend” whatever the hell she was buying. I guess we can chalk it up to extreme grief, some denial and I’m sure tremendous guilt. People, especially parents, should be doing some research before they buy a puppy or bring home one from a shelter. But in so many cases of these horrific attacks, they clearly walk in blind or have bought into the nanny dog myth. If an adult owner dies, so be it. But we see so many dead children on this site because of poor parental choices.
Sadly the little boy passed away. To Covil family my thoughts my prayers are with you.
To the owners of those two dogs I hope I pray that you are prosecuted to the highest extent of the law. Backyard breeders of dogs like this are a major part of the problem.
To the city of Brooklyn Park these dogs should have been licensed and they should have been under kennel licensing if they were breeding those dogs. Brooklyn Park she’s going a lot of other cities that have banned bully breeds.
As a matter of fact a second child was attacked in Brooklyn Park by a pitbull. Thank God her injuries were only minor.
To the owners of any bully breeds you need to have your dogs on a leash at all times. I live within the area and I’m scared to death that I’m going to be bit by some fool’s dog that doesn’t have at leashed. Please make sure your dogs are under your control with a leash and collar.
Second child is fine. Police shot and killed dog because it chased other children. Dog owner complained, defended dog.
Janey, sorry to inform you but a leash and collar is *not* going to save anyone from a dog that can pull a honda. These dogs are capable of pulling 1-2000 lbs of car…
Stop messing about, authorities. Even with BSL in place, these people are NOT going to stop raising these dogs. We have BSL here and I ran into one regular pitbull and one shorty pitbull at the hardware store this week. Neither wore a muzzle and both owners were clueless as the dogs snorted their way through the snacks, aisle. Since both of those dogs could legally be confiscated–this is “pitbull love” for you.
Make owning a pitbull illegal. Period.
Then people can breed illegal beagles or something. Even mastiff breeds and rottweilers don’t have an over 50% dog aggression rate after reaching adulthood. Even the worst of the worst breeds can’t even come close to the homicide rate of pitbulls.
There’s *zero* reason for them to exist except for dogfighting. They aren’t friendlier, they aren’t smarter, they aren’t good guard dogs, they aren’t anything better than other breeds or mixes except for being dog and cat-killing, homicidal murder machines on four legs.
We aren’t doing the pitbulls any favours by letting every dimwit with a $50 cage, breed more of them. It just ends in more dead pitbulls and more dead people. Stop shilling them off as APBT or Staffies or anything else. They’re *pitbulls*. Full stop.
It’s not the pitbull haters that are causing the euthansia statistics and murder rate attributed to pitbulls. Pitbull haters don’t buy pitbulls.
It’s the pitbull lovers.
This rests purely with them.
Yes I heard that but 2 vicious dog attacks in less the week is too many. It’s time for Brooklyn Park city council to re vamp the laws pertaining to bully breeds. Either the the license amount is higher to own one. Or or the owner of the dogs has to carry a million dollar policy against their dogs biting somebody.
Good grief. Going over to buy a murder dog of their own, but the murder dogs couldn’t wait. Poor child. The parents are the idiots that put this sweet child into a dangerous situation. Charge them with child abuse and the owners with manslaughter.
I saw a recent news article that said not only was this little boy killed by pit bulls, no matter what they are called but a 7 year old little girl was recently attacked by a loose dog, it didn’t specify what breed but I presume a pit bull as well because it was shot by the police as well when it then tried to attack a boy. The news article said the government was going to have
“larger conversations are underway with city leaders and elected officials about dog attacks”. Hopefully they will ban pit bulls or at the very least ban the back yard breeders!
Minnesota is clearly run by idiots too stupid to read a spreadsheet.
Politicians should have to pass a statistics comprehension course before they’re allowed to take office.
Hate to say it but this is *exactly* why pitbulls are illegal in China. Everything there is run by numbers.
If this sad, oh so sad, story doesn’t wake people up to the dangers of owning fighting breed dogs, then no story will. It doesn’t matter if you think your dog is a pit bull or a “bulldog” or a hog dog. They were all bred to catch and hold. Till dead. Under NO circumstances are they suitable around children, nor should they be allowed in public places, like parks and festivals. The ONLY dog that lunged on its leash at my two small breeds at a recent festival was a big ugly pit bull. Some people show such a lack of citizenship and humanity. They love the idea that they have “death” on a leash. Small minds. And it’s for those small minds that these backyard breeders keep producing killer dogs.
He passed away and they’re donating his organs. 🙁 Rest in peace, fella. Horrible way to die, pray for their family!
My thoughts are with the grieving family.
this is no ‘accident ‘ its an idiot throwing a child to wolves, who the hell buys a damn pit bull and takes a toddler
I had to stop following this story because the mother was arguing on Facebook with someone saying they weren’t Pit Bulls they were American Bulldogs. It upset me so much.