13 pit bulls euthanized after their owner is mauled to death in Compton backyard

8 puppies among dogs put down by county animal control due to ‘potential threat.’

Authorities have euthanized all 13 pit bulls that were 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 all put down “due to evidence linking them to the attack,” according to a statement from Don Belton, spokesperson 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 added that there was video evidence showing that all 13 dogs were involved in the mauling, and therefore posed a danger.

The victim was 35-yearold Dominic Cooper, according to the L.A. County medical examiner. Sheriff ’s deputies said he had been mauled by one or more of his own pit bulls.

Deputy Miesha McClendon, a spokesperson for the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, said there were no updates in the case as of Tuesday night, noting that the decision to euthanize the dogs was made by Animal Care and Control.

Deputies and firefighters had responded to a call early Friday about a person who appeared to have been attacked by his dog on North Thorson Avenue in Compton, according to the Sheriff ’s Department.

Upon arriving, they encountered the 13 dogs. Sheriff’s investigators initially said it appeared that their owner had been feeding them when he was attacked.

Animal control officials said Cooper appeared to have been involved in breeding and selling pit bulls.

The agency said that it had taken all of the dogs into custody with the consent of Cooper’s father.