A Bronx, New York City resident, Kaheem Robinson, 41, was tragically killed by his pit bull in his Simpson Street apartment on Friday, April 26.
The dog was shot and killed by police officers who intervened to stop the violent assault.
Reports state that the incident started around 3 a.m., when the alarming sounds of a struggle and screams emerged from Robinson’s apartment, rousing his neighbors.
Witnesses reported that the dog had somehow escaped from its enclosure and attacked Robinson despite attempts to restrain it, focusing its attack on his neck and legs.
In response to the urgent call, two officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) arrived at the scene and were compelled to shoot the dog, named Max, upon finding it latched onto Robinson’s throat. They fired three rounds to eliminate the danger, but not before Robinson sustained severe injuries.
A neighbor named Gilbert, who resides in the same hallway as Robinson, reported the disturbing sounds of the attack. “You could hear the biting,” Gilbert stated. “That dog was really tearing him up.” He immediately dialed 911, and police officers arrived shortly after, forcing their way into the apartment and confronting the hostile animal.
At the time of the attack, Deborah Graham was present in the apartment and described a terrifying scene with the unleashed and aggressive dog. According to relatives, Robinson had recently acquired Max, to deal with the grief of losing his 18-year-old daughter to cancer two years prior.
Robinson, who had moved into the apartment less than a year ago after living in different shelters, might not have had the necessary approval to keep the dog in the building, which mandates registration and approval for pets.
After the incident, emergency services transported Robinson to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was declared dead due to his injuries. The responding officers were also taken to a local hospital for treatment of tinnitus resulting from the gunfire.
Family members remembered Robinson as a compassionate individual who worked as a home attendant. His sister, Kayesha Barnett, and her husband Thomas, also pit bull owners, stressed that the breed is not inherently dangerous but pointed out that individual animals can have varying temperaments. “Our dogs are like kittens,” Thomas commented, highlighting the often peaceful nature of their pets.
This tragic event has profoundly impacted the local community and Robinson’s family, who continue grappling with the circumstances surrounding the attack.
