A boy who clung to life for six days after a savage attack by two pit bulls has died from his injuries in hospital, police announced.
Three-year-old Covil Allen and his mother Tasha Vega were visiting a friend’s house in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, on July 19 when the animals charged at the boy.
The critically injured boy underwent a series of emergency surgeries at Hennepin County Medical Center, and as recently as Tuesday the family was hopeful he would pull through.
But his condition deteriorated and his parents, Tasha and Charles, began preparing for their young son to become an organ donor before he died on Thursday.
“They are the most amazing human beings and they don’t deserve to feel this pain,” friend Lindsey Hemmerich wrote in a fundraiser.
Three-year-old Covil Lee before the pitbull attack that cost him his life
The little boy clung to life for six days in hospital before his death was announced on Thursday.
One of the dogs had recently given birth, and Tasha and her son had gone to the house in the 7500 block of N. Brooklyn Park Drive to see some puppies.
Officers called to the scene said they had “never seen anything so horrific before” after breaking through a neighbour’s fence to tackle the animals, according to police inspector Elliot Faust.
Both animals were shot, but not before the dogs seriously injured the boy’s mother as she desperately struggled to save her son.
“Tasha has already had two surgeries and will need a third on her calf to repair the damage; a skin graft will be required,” Lindsey wrote.
Her husband Dustin posted a heartbreaking image from the emergency room on Tuesday after Covil emerged from another operation.
‘Covil was initially in surgery for seven hours before being rushed to HCMC,’ he wrote.
‘On Saturday, Covil underwent emergency surgery. He had lost some circulation in his leg. It went well, the blood started to flow; now the muscle is not responding, so they will keep an eye on him.
“He can still come back. That’s why we’re praying for him to come back!” He also had a CT scan of his head to make sure there was no bleeding on the brain. Today, Covil’s right chest tube was removed.
“His brain pressure has dropped a little (which is a goal) compared to yesterday.”
But a Gofundme campaign was launched the following day after doctors concluded there was little hope of recovery.
“Chuck, Tasha and Christian have started the process with Life Source to donate Covil’s organs,” Lindsey wrote.
Charles Allen, Tasha Vega and their two children Christian and Covil
‘This will honor Covil’s life and save the lives of more children in the hope that no other parents will have to endure the pain they are experiencing right now.’
The fundraiser has already raised $25,000 of its $35,000 goal.
One dog died at the scene and another was later euthanized.
Inspector Faust said charges could be filed.
“Our detectives are currently investigating the case and will submit it to a prosecuting authority in the near future for review,” he added.
Earlier this month, an eight-year-old boy saved his younger sister from a neighbor’s vicious dog after the dog snuck into the family’s yard and attacked the girl.
Nicholas Chitwood was hailed as a hero after rushing to help six-year-old Lillian and stopping the adult pit bull at his grandparents’ home in Saginaw, Michigan.
The girl will suffer severe nerve damage to her face and doctors have not yet determined whether further surgery will be necessary. She is still in severe pain. The dog was euthanized.
According to the American Veterinary Association, approximately 800,000 people receive hospital treatment for dog bites each year in the U.S., and pit bulls are responsible for more attacks than any other.
They are also more likely to kill their victims, accounting for 28 percent of deaths over a 20-year period studied by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.