COMPTON, Calif. – A man in Compton was tragically killed on Thursday after being attacked by his own dogs while feeding them, authorities reported. The incident occurred at the victim’s residence on Thorson Avenue and Rosecrans Avenue. The victim’s body was discovered the following morning by deputies who had responded to the scene. According to investigators, the victim sustained multiple injuries to his upper and lower torso and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim, who remains unidentified, was reportedly in the backyard feeding his dogs when the attack took place. Lt. Michael Gomez of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau mentioned that approximately 13 dogs, believed to be pit bulls, were in the backyard at the time of the attack. The dogs, all of which appeared to be owned by the victim, may have been fighting at the time of the incident.
Damon Wesley, a local man who rescues dogs, explained that when a pack of dogs are in close proximity, the leader’s aggression towards someone can cause the other dogs to follow suit due to their pack mentality. AIR7 HD footage captured deputies and two women attending to another person in the front yard, although it was uncertain if this individual was injured or being consoled.
The dogs involved in the attack were subsequently taken by animal control. It is currently unclear whether they will be euthanized or what further actions will be taken in regards to the animals. The tragic incident has drawn attention to the need for responsible pet ownership and the potential dangers of handling a large number of dogs.