On 24th January, at around 11 am, Rakeem Young was walking his four-year-old Pit Bull, Chanel, in the Bronx.
A vicious attack
Rakeem and Chanel came across a man with a dog off its lead. When Chanel went to greet the other dog, the man said to Rakeem: "Yo, get your dog. I'm gonna cut her head off". As Rakeem moved his hand to protect Chanel, the attacker took out a machete with a two-foot blade and severed the fingers on his left hand.
The suspect struck him twice after the initial attack, at which point Chanel lunged at the aggressor. The suspect then fled the scene. CCTV footage identified a man wearing a beige hat, trousers and boots, a grey hoodie, and a green gilet.
Emergency surgery
Since the attack, three of Rakeem's four severed fingers have been recovered by emergency services. He underwent a 13-hour operation in hospital and will require further medical procedures, particularly to improve blood flow to his reattached fingers.
Rakeem's mother is looking after Chanel while he is in hospital. She has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for his medical expenses. We wish the whole family strength during this difficult time.
