Covil Allen, Minnesota 3 year old boy passes away after being taken off life support following vicious dog attack by breed banned in most places outside the US, the American bullies. His mom, Natasha Palacios Vega suffered horrendous injuries attempting to save her son as the toddler’s organs are to now be donated.
The family of a 3 year old boy viciously attacked by what was initially believed to be a pair of pit bulls mixes in Minnesota on Friday night announced the passing of their son after he was taken off life support.
Family members said in a social media post that 3-year-old Covil Allen had died after being attacked last Friday, July 19, in the back yard of a Brooklyn Park home.
His family plans to donate his organs to LifeSource to help other children.
The American bully; a mix between a pit and an American bulldog.
Covil Allen, and his mother, Natasha Palacios Vega, were visiting a home on July 19 in Brooklyn Park, MN where the two dogs were up for sale, according to police.
Suddenly one of the dogs attacked Covil — and the second dog joined in, biting the boy and Vega. According to police, several responding officers discharged their service weapons and hit both dogs. One of the dogs was killed and the other was injured. The injured dog was taken to an animal care facility where it was later put down.
Covil was taken to the hospital with grave injuries, police said.
In the aftermath of the dog attack, the dailymail reported that the two canines were actually not full pit bulls but rather a mix between a pit and an American bulldog.
Known as American bullies, the dog’s breed boasts especially powerful jaws that inflict more damage than those of any other breed.
Dog banned outside the U.S
This likely proved fatal for Covil, who suffered critical injuries and wasn’t expected to make a recovery. The boy’s mom who has undergone a number of surgeries is expected to survive her ordeal.
Police Inspector Elliot Faust stated the dogs were not only just American bullies, but those of ‘the XL variety,’
He noted how ‘this breed is banned in the UK,’ despite them not being officially recognized as a specific breed.
They are described as dogs having ‘a muscular body and blocky head’ – bred so they stand to a staggering 23 inches tall at times, compared to a ‘classic’ bully’s 17 to 20 inches.
They were banned in England and Wales back in 1991, with a similar guidance in the works in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The XL Bully was responsible for 10 of the 19 deaths caused by dogs in the UK in the period between 2021 and 2023, and in December 2023, the UK Government added the breed to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, making it illegal to sell, breed, abandon or have a Bully XL in public without a lead and muzzle in England and Wales.
Investigation continues as prosecutors to consider charges
NHS consultant Richard Baker afterwards said the dogs’ powerful jaws inflict more damaging wounds than any other, regularly resulting in broken bones, shredded skin and damaged nerves.
A GoFundMe started by the family has so far raised $48,176 toward its $50,000 goal.
‘This will honor Covil’s life and save more children’s lives in hopes that no other parent has to endure the pain that they are experiencing right now,’ organizers wrote.
A spokesperson for the Brooklyn Park Police Department says investigators are still collecting evidence and expect the case to be given to prosecutors to consider charges sometime next week.
