A man died after being brutally attacked by his three XL bully dogs at a playground in San Diego’s Mesa Viking Neighborhood Park, according to police reports. The shocking incident occurred on Friday afternoon, leaving witnesses horrified and wondering why such powerful animals were kept as pets.
The San Diego Police Department confirmed that officers were called to the scene around noon after receiving 911 reports of a violent dog attack. Responding officers arrived to find the man being bitten repeatedly by his own dogs, a breed known for their size and strength. Authorities had to use a Taser to stop the relentless attack.
Local resident Steve Marto, who lives across the street from the park, described the chaotic scene to Nexstar. KSWB/KUSI. At first he thought the police were arresting a person. “I just saw they had something stuck in the brush around here. At first I thought it was a person because they were talking about setting up a perimeter,” Marto explained. It wasn’t until later that he realized the officers were trying to restrain the three huge dogs.
“They were big, like XL bullies, just huge muscles,” Marto added, emphasizing the sheer power of the animals.
According to witnesses, a child who was accompanying the victim was unharmed during the attack. Despite desperate attempts by the good Samaritans to intervene, using shovels and possibly a golf club, which was later found at the scene, the dogs continued their assault. Torn clothing and a shoe were also discovered nearby, underscoring the brutality of the incident.
Sergeant. Matthew Hone confirmed that after an officer fired a Taser, the dogs separated and fled. “The officer was able to separate the dogs. They fled and the injured man was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries,” Hone said. Tragically, the victim’s sister later confirmed that he succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Two of the dogs were quickly captured after the attack, but the third managed to escape, prompting immediate security measures. Ericson Elementary School, located near the park, closed its doors as a precaution. Parents were notified via email to ensure student safety. Authorities later located the third dog at the owner’s nearby home.
The incident has reignited concerns about owning such powerful and potentially dangerous breeds. Marto, reflecting on the tragedy, expressed concern about the dogs’ strength and temperament. “I don’t understand why anyone would want to have three dogs that size. In my opinion, you are just asking for a problem,” he said.
As of Friday, authorities had not determined what would happen to the dogs involved in the fatal attack. The tragedy has left the local community shocked and sparked debates about the safety of owning strong large breed dogs like the XL Bully.
The investigation into what sparked the sudden attack is ongoing, but the horrific nature of the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks involved in keeping such animals, especially in public spaces.