Man mauled to death by two dogs in backyard attack, California cops say

Two dogs were seized after a backyard attack fatally injured a man, California sheriff’s officials told news outlets.

Deputies responded to reports of a “vicious animal” at a Lancaster home at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 12, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told KCAL

Deputies found a man being attacked by two dogs in the backyard of the home, KNBC reported.

A deputy shot one of the dogs in the leg to drive it away, KABC reported. No information on the dog’s condition was available.

The man was taken to a hospital, where he later died, officials told KCAL. Los Angeles animal control officers seized four dogs at the home.

McClatchy News reached out to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for more information and did not receive a response.

Lancaster is about a 70-mile drive north from Los Angeles.

What to know about dog attacks

“Dog bites can cause pain, injury, and spread germs that cause infection,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. “Nearly 1 in 5 people bitten by a dog requires medical attention.”

Dogs bite more than 4.5 million people each year in the U.S., and nearly 800,000 of those people need medical attention, according to the CDC.

Any dog can bite if they feel scared or nervous, or if they want to be alone. You should never approach a dog that seems angry or scared, the CDC said.

If an unfamiliar dog comes up to you, officials say you should:

• Stay calm and be still.

• Avoid eye contact with the dog.

• Don’t panic or make loud noises. Don’t run.

• Say “no” or “go home” in a deep voice. Stand with the side of your body toward the dog.

• Slowly raise your hands to your neck and back away slowly.

This story was originally published July 14, 2025 at 12:26 PM with the headline "Man mauled to death by two dogs in backyard attack, California cops say."