LOS ANGELES – A chaotic and gruesome scene unfolded in Compton Friday morning after a man who was breeding pit bulls was mauled to death in his own backyard.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, officials responded to the home on Thorson Avenue, just south of Rosecrans Avenue, around 7 a.m. after a concerned friend visited the property and discovered the man’s body.
Investigators believe the attack occurred Thursday evening between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
“He was feeding the dogs at which point maybe there was an altercation between some of the dogs and [they] ultimately attacked and mauled the victim,” said Michael Gomez with LASD’s Homicide Bureau.
Sky5 footage showed the victim, a 35-year-old man who neighbors say lived alone, succumbed to his injuries inside one of several kennels in the backyard.
Authorities traversed the victim’s roof, a neighbor’s yard, and an alley to corral the five adult pit bulls and eight puppies, L.A. County’s Animal Care & Control department said. Firefighters helped a woman climb out of the yard as the agitated dogs ran loose and were also attacking each other, the helicopter video showed.
“Preliminary information suggests that the deceased individual was involved in breeding and selling Pitbulls,” animal control officials said in a statement.
The victim’s identity was not immediately released. Officials said his father had consented to sign over the dogs to Animal Care & Control for “impoundment and examination.”
No other injuries were reported.
“Our deepest sympathies are extended to the family and friends of the victim,” said DACC Director Marcia Mayeda. “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.”
An animal welfare worker who responded to the scene said he hoped the tragedy would also serve as a lesson.
Many California cities have passed ordinances banning the ownership of unneutered or unspayed pit bulls. Compton is not among them.
California does not have any statewide breed-specific dog bans.