New York man fatally attacked by group of dogs in a backyard

A man was attacked and killed by several pit bull mixed dogs in a backyard this week in Albany, New York, and police are investigating whether charges are warranted.

About 6 p.m. Wednesday, up to nine mixed-breed pit bulls “brutally and viciously” attacked a man in a backyard, Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins said Thursday during a news conference.

The victim was identified as James Provost, 59, of Schenectady, New York. It was not known why he was in the yard, which was next door to the residence where the dogs lived, Hawkins said.

An officer on scene witnessed the mauling and shot and killed an adult male dog, which caused the others to disperse. The dog’s caretaker arrived shortly after and helped police corral the animals, Hawkins said.

The homeowner, who is a different person than the caretaker, does not live at the residence, Hawkins said.

“We’re working very closely with the district attorney’s office to determine exactly what, if any, criminal charges are applicable here,” Hawkins said.

Investigators found 24 pit bulls at the home, 15 of which were puppies. The animals were taken by the humane society, Hawkins said.

“At least some of those dogs were involved in the death of this man. And so we’ve taken these dogs, we put these dogs in a place where they can’t cause any further harm, a place where they can’t escape, a place where they can be kept while this matter is adjudicated,” he said.

Another authority would then decide whether the dogs, some of which are unlicensed, are released and whether some or all are euthanized, Hawkins said.

He said it was not clear why there were so many dogs at the residence or how the dogs got into a neighboring yard.

In May, a search warrant was executed at the home where the dogs were kept because of suspected drug activity. Five to seven dogs were turned over to the humane society and later released, Hawkins said.