Worker killed by dogs on property

‘It’s a tragedy,’ Animal Services employee says about Riverside man who died after the attack

A Riverside man was killed on Tuesday after he was attacked by four dogs while reportedly working on a property in Jurupa Valley, according to Riverside County Animal Services.

After screaming was heard at a property on the corner of Bellegrave Avenue and Martin Street, Riverside County sheriff’s deputies responded to the location around 7:30 a.m. and requested assistance from Animal Services officers. The victim reportedly had worked on the property — a house converted to a business — previously without incident, said Riverside County Animal Services representative John Welsh.

“It’s a tragedy. Our thoughts are with him and his family,” Welsh said.

The victim was identified by coroner officials Wednesday as Mateo Salvador, 42. They said he was injured around 6:50 a.m.

Welsh said the victim’s screams prompted a neighbor to dial 911. Deputies arrived minutes later and discovered Salvador gravely injured. Sheriff’s officials said that he was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where he died at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday.

The property owner, who was not at the scene when the attack occurred, arrived and surrendered his four dogs for humane euthanasia. Three of the four dogs were Belgian Malinois, an intelligent breed often used for police work, Welsh said.

The fourth dog was a cane corso breed, which Welsh described as a larger version of a pit bull.

“All four will be tested for rabies, per our usual protocols,” Welsh said. “That is something we do for severe bite cases.”

According to Welsh, the department had not received any calls to the location before this and said the dogs were contained within the bounds of the property.

“We don’t deal with these types of incidents in our county,” said Welsh, regarding fatalities from dog attacks.

Erin Gettis, the director of Riverside County Animal Services, said in a statement the mauling was a tragedy and a “horrific reminder” for dog owners to remain vigilant in keeping communities safe.