Police say 3-year-old Kamar Reynolds was bitten by the dog inside the Belmont Avenue home around 2:30 a.m. He was rushed to Bellevue Medical Center, where he underwent six hours of surgery for treatment of a severed ear lobe.
The ensuing investigation revealed the cousin's common law husband kicked out an air conditioner in the basement window and sent two dogs into the apartment in an apparent attempt to attack her, according to authorities. He was reportedly retaliating for being thrown out following a fight.
But instead, the dog went after the child, one of five who were in the house at the time. The other four escaped, but Kamar couldn't move fast enough. Relatives say the little boy's mom is devastated.
"She's just in shock," relative Shattikia Jordan said. "She can't believe this happened to her baby."
Police say 24-year-old Frantz Cesar was arrested in the incident. He is charged with criminal possession of a weapon and acting in a manner to injure a child.
The pit bull that did the biting, a female between 1 and 2 years old, was evaluated at the New York City Animal Care and Control. She was euthanized and will be tested for rabies.
The boy's father, who didn't want to be identified, said his son also suffered serious damage to his lips and jaw.
"It really hurts, my little 3-year-old baby just messed all up, ear hanging off," he said. "It really hurts me, man. It's breaking me down.''
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WEB PRODUCED BY: Bill King