Police launched an investigation after two dogs went into the yard of an elderly man and killed him before eating his body, according to police in Florida.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said that the dogs belonging to Lephus Felton, went into the yard of 83-year-old Michael Downin, and killed him.
The dogs then dragged Downin into their own yard, where they ate 70 percent of his body. Police have seized a total of four dogs from the property.
Felton claims that Downin provoked the dogs before he was killed.
According to the police investigation, the incident unfolded around 4:00 p.m. on Friday, when Downin went to throw garbage into a dumpster.
Witnesses called the police after seeing the dogs eating the body. By the time officer arrived at the scene, they already ate a large part of the man’s body.
Police said that Downin was dismembered and barely recognizable. Several months ago, a neighbor called the police to report animal cruelty.
The neighbor reported that the dogs were kept in small cages and were living in filth. Felton was also accused of punching his dogs with a closed fist.
When investigators arrived at the scene, there was no filth present and the dogs appeared to be in good health. Neighbors described Downin as a happy man who always smiled.
Felton claims that his dogs never attacked anyone, and they are only trained to protect his yard. He also said that his dogs attack when they are teased.
The police will kill all four dogs.