Man mauled to death by his dogs in Compton backyard, authorities say

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department launched an investigation Friday into the death of a Compton man who was mauled by one or more of his pit bulls Thursday.

At 7 a.m. Friday, deputies and the L.A. County Fire Department responded to a call in the 900 block of North Thorson Avenue in Compton. The caller told the dispatcher that “her friend was seen in the backyard and appeared to have been mauled by his dog,” said Veronica Fantom, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Department.

Upon arrival, they encountered five adult pit bulls and eight puppies age 4 to 6 months within the yard, according to a statement released by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control.

First responders corralled the dogs into a neighboring yard so they could reach the man. KTLA-TV Channel 5 captured video of authorities on top of a roof moving the dogs.

Lt. Michael Gomez of the Sheriff Department’s homicide bureau told KTLA that the man had been feeding the dogs when “ maybe there was an altercation between some of the dogs and [they] then ultimately attacked and mauled the victim.”

Authorities have not yet released the man’s name.

The Department of Animal Care and Control has taken possession of all of the dogs, with the consent of the father of the dog owner, according to the statement. The dogs will be impounded and examined at the Downey Animal Care Center.

Fantom said the sheriff’s homicide bureau also responded to the incident; bureau detectives determined that the incident occurred Thursday between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Video from KTLA showed a man’s body inside one of several kennels in the backyard of a home.

A spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Department said they could not yet confirm what occurred or how many dogs were involved in the attack.

According to the Animal Care and Control Department, preliminary information suggested that the man was involved in breeding and selling pit bulls. The department is working to gather additional details surrounding the circumstances of the incident.

“Our deepest sympathies are extended to the family and friends of the victim,” 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.”

Several cities and counties in California, including San Bernardino County, have passed ordinances that don’t allow residents to own or keep pit bulls that haven’t been spayed or neutered, with limited exceptions.