Cane Corso Mastiff Fatally Mauls Boy, But Dog Is Not To Blame

A 4-year-old Brooklyn boy was tragically mauled to death on Friday night by the family dog. Young Jayelin Graham was attacked by the dog as his 2- and 5-year-old brothers (who were also injured) watched in horror from underneath the bed. His mother, Saquina Jubeark had stepped out of the apartment into the hall with her infant daughter when the dog grabbed onto the boy’s neck and never let go.
A neighbor ran in when she heard the mother’s shrieks, but was unable to even get close to the dog who had gone into a full blown killing mode. Whatever caused the Cane Corso Mastiff to attack is unclear but neighbors were not surprised. They say the dog which belonged to the mother’s boyfriend, Damian Jones was trained to kill. Jones had bragged about that fact many times.
Neighbors report that the family home was a disaster waiting to happen for more reasons than this dog alone.
The first-floor family home housed the Cane Corso, two other dogs, two birds and fish in a midst of filth along with 4 young children.
The NY Post reports that neighbors said Jones “routinely punched and kicked his feared canine collective — a pit bull, a husky mix and the cane-corso mix.” When people would ask breed of dogs they were, he’d reply “monster dogs.” Jones was a fan of When Animals Attack” on Facebook page. The home is said to have had “putrid smell as flies hovered over dog feces in every room. A giant parrot cage rose four feet high in the center of the living room. Motorcycle wheels were stacked in the kitchen.”
Yet, Jubeark claims that she had no clue the dog might be vicious. She even said that Jones, her fiancé wasn’t to blame. “It was not my son’s or (Jones’) fault. The dog had showed no sign of aggression.”
That is a ridiculous statement when neighbor after neighbor said the dogs were trained to kill, had witnessed Jones beating the dogs into aggression, and say the whole block was scared of the dogs. The dog that fatally attacked the boy was called “Machete”. Clearly, there are two at fault here and it’s certainly not the children or the dogs. Jubeark and Jones abused animals, trained them to kill, and allowed them to live with 4 young children. While Jones may or may have not participated directly in the training, she allowed it. They should both be held accountable. No child should have to die in such a horrific way. It’s the parents’ responsibility to keep them safe. Furthermore, they should be charged with animal abuse. The Cane Corso Mastiff is also a victim of this family as is the other two dogs in the household.
The dogs are currently being held at the Animal Care and Control Unit and the Cane Corso Mastiff was put on a 10-day quarantine; it is still undetermined if he will be put down. I hope the dogs never get sent back to the family. I only wish the same for the children.
Jayelin’s grandmother, Amrett Graham, said several calls had been made to Administration for Children’s Services because neighbor knew the children were in jeopardy over more than just the dogs. “A lot of people called,” said Graham. “I don’t know if they actually came, but people pleaded to get the kids out of that house.”
In the end, there is one child dead, three others left to suffer living in the home, and three dogs abused (in all likelihood to the point that they will have to have their lives ended as well). The dogs are not to blame: they were also victims. Jones needs to be charged with animal abuse in addition to endangering the lives of children.The mother was released of charges although an investigation is still pending. I hope ACS does the right thing and makes certain that the remaining children are put in good hands and given the chance to lead normal lives.