Authorities have euthanized all 13 pit bulls found in a Compton man's backyard where he was mauled to death last week.
The dogs — five adult pit bulls and eight puppies — were euthanized “due to evidence linking them to the attack,” according to a statement from Don Belton, spokesman for the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control.
“Given the potential threat they posed to the community, this action was deemed necessary,” Belton said. He did not immediately respond to questions about what evidence led to the decision.
Deputy Miesha McClendon, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, said there were no updates on the case Tuesday night, but that the decision to euthanize the dogs was made by Animal Care and Control.
Initially, officers said the dogs' owner had been mauled by one or more of his pit bulls.
The owner was identified as Dominic Cooper, 35, according to KTLA-TV Channel 5.
Deputies and firefighters responded to a call about a person who appeared to have been attacked by their dog on North Thorson Avenue in Compton early Friday morning, according to the Sheriff's Department.
When they arrived they found the 13 dogs. Sheriff's investigators initially said it appeared Cooper had been feeding them when he was attacked.
Animal control officials said he appeared to have been involved in breeding and selling pit bulls.
All of the dogs were later detained by animal control with the consent of Cooper's father, according to the agency.
Times writer Karen Garcia contributed to this report.
