2 citations issued to owner of dog that mauled Chicago boy to death

CHICAGO — The owner of a dog that mauled a 5-year-old boy to death has been issued two citations, but no criminal charges have been filed.

The owner was cited for not having a city license for the dog and for not having the dog inoculated against rabies. Police did not name the owner and could not say if more serious charges might be filed later.

James Nevils III was attacked while at a home with relatives Monday night. Police and neighbors said the dog bit the boy in the throat and didn't let go until neighbors repeatedly beat the dog, finally killing it.

The boy's grandfather, James Nevils Sr., has said he wants the owner of the dog to be held accountable.

"This dog took a young life, and the person responsible should be made to pay," he said Tuesday. "He was a good boy, a very good boy. I just can't believe he's gone. I'm just devastated."

Neighbors said the dog belonged to a family who had recently moved to the block. James and his sister and mother were visiting, and the dog was supposed to be locked up, they said.

Brandon Lindsey, 25, said he heard screams from inside the house. Then he saw the young boy's mother pulling the dog outside by its legs. The entire time the dog had a firm grip on James' neck and would not let go.

"She was pulling him like a rag doll," Lindsey said. "The boy seemed lifeless."

Lindsey grabbed a metal chair from his porch and ran and slammed the dog. His neighbors came running with pipes, sticks and bricks and continued beating the dog.

"It was just horrible," Lindsey said. "It was ridiculous. Everyone tried to help. We called the police. I couldn't believe it."

One of the neighbors who ran to the boy's help was Marquis Lewis.

"I started hitting the dog with a brick. My brother grabbed a pole from somebody," he said. "Then once we got the dog off the baby, we started hitting the dog with the pole and the brick until he died."

Brad Powers, a spokesman for the Commission on Animal Care and Control, said the dog was "large and muscular."

"While we have no way to confirm a dog breed based on physical characteristics alone, the animal has features consistent with the Dogo Argentino breed," he said in an email.