Johnathan Quarles Jr. - 7-months old - Dayton, OH - (7/20/14) - DBRF #24

On July 20^th, 2014, Johnathan Quarles, Jr. and his family, from Indiana, were visiting their step-grandmother in Dayton Ohio. Johnathan was under the care of his step-grandmother, Kimiko Hardy, on the 2200 block of Riverside Drive around 12:24 p.m. when suddenly her pit bull attacked and killed him. According to a family spokesman, Reverend Victor Lee, the American Staffordshire terrier jumped over a gate and attacked the infant. He said the grandmother “tried to get the dog off, but couldn’t.”

Police responded to the scene after a neighbor called 911 in a desperate effort to get help.

“She just knocked on my door, bangin’ on my door, She had a baby in her hand. The baby’s not breathing. You need to get here now.,” the neighbor told the dispatcher.

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»Listen to the 911 call

2 NEWS obtained the 911 emergency call:

“OPERATOR: 9-1-1 what’s your emergency?

CALLER: My neighbor the baby’s dead. I need– 22-21 Riverside, but it’s my neighbor next-door.

OPERATOR: 22-21 Riverside?

CALLER: Yes, yes.

OPERATOR: Drive?

CALLER: Yes ma’am.

OPERATOR: And it’s the neighbor next door?

CALLER: Yes ma’am.

OPERATOR: Now tell me what happened– what?

CALLER: She just knocked on my door, banging on my door. She had a baby in her hand and the baby’s not breathing. I need you to get her now.
OPERATOR: Okay.”

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The dog was removed by an animal control officer. Homicide detectives were called to investigate.

About a dozen people who appeared to be close friends and family of the step-grandmother arrived at the two-story home as detectives conducted the investigation. A range of emotions were displayed, as some hugged and comforted each other while crying and others screamed in anger or frustration. The grandmother, who police said is not biologically related to the child, was in extreme emotional distress and was assisted to walk.

According to a June 3 Dayton police report, the same dog attacked a beagle that was on a leash as its owner was walking by the Riverside Drive house. The beagle suffered bites to its leg before it got away. The owner told police she didn’t want to press charges against the attacking dog’s owner, but wanted the incident documented.

In addition to the June 3^rd attack involving a pet beagle, records obtained by the Dayton Daily News show that on April 25^th, animal control officers responded to a complaint from the Northridge Post Office that one of its carriers was attacked by dog at the Hardy’s home. The letter carrier escaped injuries by putting his satchel between his leg and the dog. Hardy was cited for failing to have the dog licensed and was given education. She bought a license for the dog five days later.

Records at the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center show an American Staffordshire Terrier, which resembles a pit bull, was registered at the address.

7/21/14 – The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office ruled that 7-month old Johnathan Quarles Jr. cause of death was an accident. Johnathan Quarles Jr. died of blunt force injuries after being attacked by his babysitter’s pit bull. As of August 10^th, 2014, no criminal charges have been filed.

Sources:

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American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire Terrier is in fact the same dog as an American Pit Bull Terrier, but registered by a different kennel club. At the turn of the 20^th century, the pit bull breeders wanted the respectability of AKC recognition, but the AKC was reluctant to register fighting dogs. The AKC finally recognized the American Pit Bull Terrier in 1936 after decades of lobbying by pit bull breeders. John P. Colby’s champion fighter, American Pit Bull Terrier ‘Primo’, formed the basis for the breed standard of the ‘new‘ AKC breed – but the AKC wasn’t willing to have the word ‘pit bull’ in the ‘ new’ breed’s name. The ‘new’ pit bull breed was dubbed ‘the Staffordshire Terrier’ in order to hide its relation to the pit bull and its origins and history in the fighting pit. The breed’s name was changed again to American Staffordshire Terrier in 1972, to distinguish the larger American version from the smaller English version (which kept the name ‘Staffordshire Bull Terrier’)^1,2. In 1972, the breed register was also re-opened for a time to allow people to register their UKC registered pit bull as an American Staffordshire Terrier if they regretted not having done so earlier.

Because of their shared ancestry, history, function and genetics, we refer you further to our page about the American Pit Bull Terrier, since the information you need to have is identical.

In North America, from 1982-2013, Pit Bull breeds and mixes have seriously attacked 2,990 humans that resulted in 1,777 maimings and 275 deaths.

American Pit Bull Terrier

Research is advised before selecting an APBT as a pet. They are often on the list of dogs that many landlords/property management companies do not allow. There are many American towns that have breed specific legislation or restrictions on certain breeds, including theAPBT. There are also many countries that have enacted restrictions or bans, such as the United Kingdom, that include the breed. It is wise to make sure your pet will be allowed into your community.

Breeds in the Pit Bull family are the most common surrendered and stray dog breeds in the animal sheltering system. They are also the most commonly euthanized dog breed. Owners are often unaware and unprepared for these breeds. While many families own bully breeds successfully and have only positive experiences with the breed, there are families they are not suited for. Because shelters are so full of APBTs and other Pit Bull types, it’s important to neuter your APBT rather than breeding it – for the sake of the APBTs themselves¹⁸. No dog lover wants to breed any kind of dog only to have it quickly end up in a shelter after it’s sold!

The American Pit Bull Terrier requires a minimal amount of grooming and only sheds lightly. They are prone to several medical issues such as hip dysplasia, cataracts, allergies, and heart disease. They usually weigh between 30-70 lbs and their average lifespan is about 12 years.

In North America, from 1982-2013, Pit Bull breeds and mixes have seriously attacked 2,990 humans that resulted in 1,777 maimings and 275 deaths.

Click here to learn more about the American Pit Bull Terrier

Pit Bull Terrier Family