Sylvania Township, Ohio Parents and children moved through the morning drop-off routine outside Whiteford Elementary Schoolon December 8, 2025. The suburban campus near Toledo looked like any other school day.
Reem Kashen, 36, walked hand-in-hand with her 3-year-old son when the 3-year-old Rottweiler named Kynyk charged from the yard next door. The dog had escaped after the owner’s wife, Bolanle Almaroof, opened the interior sunroom door to grab leashes and left the exterior door open on the unfenced property.
A tweet from X.
Kashen lifted her son to shield him. The dog latched onto her lower leg and ankle. It dragged her across the pavement for more than a minute while she kept fighting to protect the child. The boy was knocked down but suffered no serious injuries. Kashen sustained severe bite wounds and required hospitalization. Almaroof stepped in to pry the dog off and was bitten herself.
The owner, Nikai Roberts, surrendered Kynyk to Lucas County Canine Care & Control around December 15-16. Animal control declared the dog a public safety risk and humanely euthanized it.
On December 18, Lucas County authorities charged Roberts with one count of possessing a vicious dog and two counts of failing to vaccinate for rabies. The second count covered the 11-year-old male Rottweiler also living at the home. Both dogs held valid licenses, including 2026 renewals, but lacked rabies shots. Roberts’ arraignment was delayed in January 2026 to give him time to obtain counsel.
A 90- to 100-second surveillance clip captured the entire sequence. Local stations first shared the low-resolution footage in December. It resurfaced in February 2026 on X, including in a post from @josh_uglyasf, and on Instagram. The video shows Kashen shielding her toddler as the dog refuses to release her leg.
Early viral versions labeled the dog a black Labrador mix. Verified reports from Ohio outlets corrected the breed to Rottweiler.
Ohio law holds owners strictly liable for injuries their dogs cause. Section 955.28 of the Ohio Revised Code says that the owner, keeper, or harborer is liable for damages for any injury unless the injured party provoked the dog, trespassed, or committed a crime at the time of the attack.
Surveillance footage from schools and public areas spreads fast across American platforms. It brings immediate visibility to incidents that might otherwise stay local, prompting wider discussion about pet containment rules and safety near children.
Sylvania Schools adjusted drop-off procedures for several days and held a board meeting where parents called for improved fencing and clearer communication. Superintendent Veronica Motley addressed the concerns and confirmed the district followed through after the surrender.
The case remains active in court. With charges filed, the legal process addresses owner accountability while the community continues work on keeping school zones safe for every family.
