One of two dogs suspected in Akron toddler's death had bitten letter carrier in June [Akron Beacon Journal]

One of two pit bulls involved in the death of a toddler Oct. 3 had attacked a letter carrier in June, but no citation was issued. The two dogs were put down Thursday pursuant to a court order.

They had been among hundreds of pit bulls and related breeds that are not registered in compliance with a city ordinance that, among other things, requires $50,000 worth of insurance to cover damages in the event of injury or death.

According to the city, only 22 pit bulls or similar dogs are registered, although Summit County dog license records show at least 580 such animals live in Akron.

On Sunday, 16-month-old Ka'Vay Louis-Calderon died while her 20-year-old uncle and a woman, also 20, argued at the front door of a Westmoreland Street home in Kenmore. One of two pit bulls in the house, or possibly both, became agitated and attacked the girl during the argument, police said. The dogs had been put in the custody of Summit County Animal Control while police investigated.

More: Police say 16-month-old killed by pit bull while couple argued in Akron

More: Medical examiner identifies 16-month-old killed by pit bull while couple argued in Akron

Akron police Lt. Michael Miller said Thursday that investigators have not determined who owned the two dogs, and that the investigation continues.

He said no charges had been issued as of Thursday afternoon.

Officials confirmed one of the dogs in Sunday's incident was involved in the June 8 attack on a letter carrier, but the dog's owner, who may or may not be the animal's current owner, was not cited for any violations.

In that incident, the dog broke through the home's front door and bit the carrier in the thigh and hand, according to a city animal control report.

Following Sunday's tragedy, neighbors said animal control had been called to the house on previous occasions, but Ron Dowdy, chief animal control warden for the city, said the only prior call to that address on record is for the letter carrier attack.

Akron police did not have any reports involving dogs at that address.

The animal warden's report on the June attack was initiated by a neighbor's call made the day after it happened. The report states the letter carrier asked that citations not be issued. The U.S. Postal Service said the office did report the incident to the city and that service to the Westmoreland Street home was temporarily suspended.

Dowdy said that whether a citation is filed is at the discretion of the animal warden who investigated the incident.

A city ordinance enacted more than 30 years ago puts special registration and other requirements on owners of pit bulls, as well as dogs known as canary or Perro de Presa Canario dogs. Dogs with ancestry related to those breeds and dogs that have been designated as "vicious" are also subject to the regulations.

The city said enforcement of the law is "complaint driven" and Dowdy — who's been on the job 20 years — said it's nearly impossible to be effective with a staff of three, including himself and two other wardens.

"It's been an uphill battle," he said.

Dowdy said Akron's wardens have cited 44 owners this year for failing to comply with the city ordinance targeting pit bulls, but said some of the owners have been cited multiple times, as the courts may issue fines but do not always order the owners to comply with the city's regulation.

Under city code Section 92.25, any owners of pit bulls, canary dogs, "American" bulldogs or vicious dogs must comply with multiple rules.

The dogs must wear a fluorescent green collar available for a fee from the city. Their homes must also display a city-issued warning sign visible from the road. The dogs must also be tattooed with a registration number provided by the city, and owners must show they have $50,000 worth of insurance to cover injury or death of a person caused by the dog.

Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies, and owners must provide the city with two photos of the dog, one of which shows the required tattoo.

Megan Pirie, a licensed agent with Paul Bucar State Farm agency in Akron, said coverage to comply with the ordinance is generally included with the individual liability coverage of a homeowner's policy.

Dogs are also severely restricted on where they can be. When such animals are not inside a home or in a concrete-floored, roofed kennel, they must be muzzled and on a chain-link leash no more than 6 feet long.

Violations of the various provisions are misdemeanors, and those who are not in compliance often receive multiple citations.

Sunday's incident comes just over a year after a pit bull killed another child in the city.

No charges were filed in the death of an infant who was in the arms of his 77-year-old grandmother when a pit bull attacked and killed him in August 2020 at a South Hawkins Avenue residence in West Akron. A third-degree felony charge of endangering children was dismissed against a family member by a Summit County grand jury.

More: 7-month-old Akron boy dies after pit bull attack

More: Akron pit bull owner charged after 2019 attacks

In 2019, an Akron woman was convicted of multiple misdemeanor counts under the city ordinance after her pit bulls ran loose and bit several people in multiple incidents in East Akron.

In one incident, the woman's dogs knocked down a 36-year-old Norton woman as she was getting out of her van and bit her along both sides of her body, from her torso to her feet. A 32-year-old Akron man heard the woman screaming and got bitten several times trying to fight off the dogs.

The dogs also bit a 38-year-old Akron mail carrier on the leg. He sprayed the dogs with pepper spray and they ran away.

The dogs also bit a 57-year-old Akron woman walking on Milton Street on the head, arms and legs. A group of men driving by stopped to help her and hit the dogs with sticks to get them off her.

Summit County Animal Control euthanized the animals.

Eric Marotta can be reached at 330-541-9433, or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @MarottaEric.

©2021 www.beaconjournal.com. Visit beaconjournal.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.