The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department launched an investigation Friday into the death of a Compton man who was mauled by one or more of his pit bulls on Thursday.
At 7 a.m. Friday, deputies and the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to a call in the 900 block of North Thorson Avenue in Compton. The caller told the operator that “her friend was seen in the backyard and she appeared to have been mauled by her dog,” said Veronica Fantom, Sheriff's Department spokeswoman.
Upon arrival, they found five adult pit bulls and eight puppies between 4 and 6 months old inside the yard, according to a statement issued by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control.
The rescuers cornered the dogs in a neighboring yard so they could reach the man. KTLA-TV Channel 5 captured video of authorities atop a roof moving the dogs.
Lt. Michael Gomez of the Sheriff's Department's homicide bureau told KTLA that the man had been feeding the dogs when “maybe there was an altercation between some of the dogs and [they] “He then finally attacked and mutilated the victim.”
Authorities have not yet released the man's name.
The Department of Animal Care and Control has taken possession of all the dogs, with the consent of the dog owner's father, according to the release. The dogs will be impounded and examined at the Downey Animal Care Center.
Fantom said the sheriff's homicide bureau also responded to the incident; Office detectives determined the incident occurred Thursday between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Video from KTLA showed a man's body inside one of several kennels in the backyard of a home.
A Sheriff's Department spokesperson said they could not yet confirm what happened or how many dogs were involved in the attack.
According to the Department of Animal Care and Control, preliminary information suggested the man was involved in breeding and selling pit bulls. The department is working to gather additional details about the circumstances of the incident.
“Our deepest condolences are extended to the family and friends of the victim,” director Marcia Mayeda said in a statement. “We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation to determine the facts and ensure the safety and well-being of both the community and the animals involved.”
Several cities and counties in California, including San Bernardino County, have passed ordinances that do not allow residents to own or keep pit bulls that have not been spayed or neutered, with limited exceptions.
