Pit bulls appear to have mauled man to death in backyard

COMPTON >> A 35-year-old man who may have been breeding pit bulls was found dead Friday in the backyard of his Compton home, where he was apparently mauled by the animals.

Deputies responded to the 900 block of North Thorson Avenue, a residential area south of Rosecrans Avenue, about 7:10 a.m. Friday to a report of a man who had been mauled by several dogs, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

According to the Sheriff's Information Bureau, the person who reported the death told deputies the man was her boyfriend. The man's name was not immediately released.

A sheriff's official at the scene told reporters the mauling is believed to have occurred about 7:30 or 8 p.m. Thursday and there is surveillance video that depicts at least part of the attack. The investigator said the man appeared to have been feeding the dogs when some of them began fighting, leading to the attack on the man.

According to the county Department of Animal Care and Control, there were 13 dogs at the home, five of them adult and the others puppies ranging in age from 4 to 6 months. The victim appeared to have been “involved in breeding and selling pit bulls,” according to the county agency.

The county collected the animals and the father of the man who died agreed to sign the animals over to the custody of county DACC.

“The animals will be safely transported to the Downey Animal Care Center for impoundment and thorough examination by the center's staff veterinarian,” according to the agency.

It was unclear if any of the animals will be euthanized. “Our deepest sympathies are extended to the family and friends of the victim,” DACC 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.”