The bodybuilder who saved a one-year-old from a horrific NYC dog attack has spoken out for the first time after choking out a pit bull to save the child’s life.
Kevin Richardson, a New York City father and fitness enthusiast, was walking past the scene when he heard the child’s screams.
Moments later, he was face-to-face with a clamped-down 24-month-old pit bull named Disco Bubba, desperately trying to stop the attack as horrified onlookers screamed for help.
In a new YouTube video, Richardson broke his silence and shared exactly what happened that day, including the life and death decision he faced as the dog refused to let go.
"I Had To Choke The Dog Out"
Footage from the attack, which occurred around 11:10AM outside a Santander Bank, shows the boy’s mother begging for help as pedestrians try everything - punching, kicking, even yanking the dog’s leash - to pry the animal off her son.
But it wasn’t until Richardson stepped in and locked the dog in a chokehold that it finally let go.
“So, I wrapped it into choke position, bicep to one artery and pressing on the other artery and squeezed as hard as I could,” he said. “It felt like I was holding onto a muscle; the dog was completely rigid and completely clamped down.”
Richardson admitted there was a moment of doubt. “It started getting to a point where it felt like it might not work,” he said. “As I started to think to myself, if this doesn’t work, I’ll have to put the dog down.”
But then, the dog began to go limp. He released the hold before the animal passed out.
The Toddler's Injuries
Video from the scene captured the child’s mother crying out: “Call the police. Someone pull him off! Someone please!” as the crowd fought to separate the dog.
A man filming the footage can be heard reacting in shock: “Oh my God. There is a hole in his f***ing leg, bro.”
According to News.com.au, the boy was rushed to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, where he was treated for multiple leg lacerations and received numerous stitches. He remains in stable condition, according to police.
Police sources said the attack began when the boy’s father picked him up, and the child’s leg swung in front of Disco Bubba’s mouth.
The dog, owned by a man who has since boasted about the pitbull on Instagram as his “best friend,” allegedly latched on without warning.
Despite the brutal attack, the owner is not facing any criminal charges. However, the boy’s family is exploring legal options to have the dog euthanized.
“It’s walking around, that’s dangerous,” the child’s uncle said.
Social Media Reactions to The Bodybuilder
Richardson’s actions have earned him widespread praise online.
“Kevin, you are a hero. Thank you for saving his life,” one YouTube commenter wrote.
" Thank you for being a great human. I always teach my daughter 'evil persists if good people do nothing.' What a valuable display of this to show your son. I can only imagine how scary that was for everyone," another user said.
“You deserve more recognition for your bravery. I’m not sure I would have done the same but strive to be more like you," a third posted.
After making sure the baby was safe, Richardson said he went to calm the terrified parents before checking on his own son and quietly continuing to his original destination, the Forbidden Planet comic book store.