The Department of Children and Families had warned of the "smell and danger" of six "untrained dogs" living in a home three years before a 4-year-old boy was mauled to death.
The Miami Herald reports an unidentified caller told the agency that the dogs posed a safety threat for the children in the home south of Miami. When investigators visited the home, the child's father Javon Dade, told them the dogs didn't belong to him.
Another anonymous complaint was filed one month later that claimed Javon Dade, Sr. was selling cocaine out of the home. Dade denied the charges.
The body of Javon Dade Jr. was found in overgrown grass in the family's back yard after he was reported missing on Aug 13. He had been mauled to death by a dog or dogs in the yard.
Javon Dade Jr. was laid to rest Monday night after a service in Palmetto Bay.
"My message tonight is to be sure these folks leave with hope because knowing where Javon is today gives us hope because we have a hope in knowing that our future is secure with a personal relationship with Christ," Christ Fellowship Pastor Sammy Flores said.
DCF interim Secretary Mike Carroll says the agency's performance has improved since the first contact with Dade in 2011.
DCF said in a statement: "Since the department's last interaction with Javon's family three years ago, significant changes have been implemented to improve our investigative process. Among them is training our investigators to analyze a family's entire history, not just the issues that led to the current abuse or negelect investigation."
Dade has been fined $1,040 for violating the county's dog ordinance, but hasn't paid the fine yet. Police and Animal Services are still investigating the case.
Animal Services said Tuesday a blue and white adult male pit bull was euthanized Friday evening. The department released the following statement:
"The decision to euthanize was based solely on the animal's temperament. What, if any involvement this dog had in the tragedy involving Javon Dade, Jr., has not yet been determined. The Animal Services Department continues to assist Miami-Dade Police and the State Attorney's Office in their ongoing investigation."
