A California man was mauled to death by his own dogs at a San Diego playground on Friday after the three animals refused to leave their owner despite tireless efforts by onlookers.
Around noon on Friday, San Diego police began receiving calls reporting a dog attack at Mesa Viking Neighborhood Park, and when police arrived they found three “XL hooligans” baring their teeth into a helpless man. According to KTLA,
The attack was so horrific that one witness thought the police were trying to catch a violent criminal.
“I just saw that there was something stuck in the weeds over there. At first I thought it was someone because they were talking about setting up a perimeter,” said park neighbor Steve Marto.
“They were big, like XL bullies, just massive muscles,” he said.
As the dogs continued to attack, bystanders tried to help the dogs by hitting them with shovels and golf clubs.
Ultimately, police were forced to shoot the animals with Tasers. Two of the dogs were subdued and captured, but the third ran off into the surrounding neighborhood.
Nearby Erickson Elementary School was then placed on lockdown until the animal returned to its home and was captured.
“The officer was able to drive the dogs away. They fled, and the injured male was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries,” police said.
The man later died in hospital from his injuries.
A child was in the playground with the victim but was not harmed in the attack.
It is unclear what the fate of the dogs will be.
Marto expressed sympathy for the victim – but said keeping such strong dogs is asking for trouble.
“I don’t understand why anyone would want to have three dogs of that size. In my opinion, you’re just looking for a problem,” Marto said.
(TagstoTranslate)US news(T)animal attacks(T)California(T)dogs(T)pit bulls
