SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Officials with the San Diego Humane Society provided an update Sunday on the fate of three dogs that were involved in the mauling death of a man in Mira Mesa Friday afternoon.
The tragic incident took place around noon at Mesa Viking Neighborhood Park. The XL bullies — a breed known for their size and strength — attacked their owner, prompting witnesses to call 911. San Diego police arrived to find the man being bitten repeatedly.
Good Samaritans tried to intervene by hitting the dogs with shovels and possibly a golf club, which was found at the scene, police said. Ultimately, an officer used a Taser to break up the attack and the dogs then ran off.
Two of the dogs were quickly captured, but a third remained on the loose. This prompted a brief lockdown at nearby Ericson Elementary School. Police later found the third dog at the owner’s home, which is near the park.
Humane Law Enforcement Officers responded to the scene after an urgent call for assistance from SDPD. They safely impounded all three XL bullies, placing them under mandatory bite quarantine per protocol.
Humane officers confirmed a second victim sustained serious bite injuries while trying to help the owner of the dogs as he was being attacked. That individual went to a local hospital for treatment and is expected to recover.
All three dogs were subsequently signed over to San Diego Humane Society by a second owner, who agreed to have them humanely euthanized.
“Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to the victim’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” said a spokesperson for the Humane Society.
There is no previous history involving these dogs in the Humane Society’s records, the organization confirmed.
FOX 5’s Tony Shin contributed to this report.
