Compton man who may have been dog breeder mauled to death by pit bulls in backyard

COMPTON, California — A Compton man believed to be breeding pit bulls was beaten to death in a backyard, authorities said Friday.

The 35-year-old man died after being attacked Thursday evening, Los Angeles County authorities said.

His name was not immediately released.

The man’s girlfriend discovered his body in a kennel area Friday morning and called authorities, the Sheriff’s Department said.

The man was feeding the dogs when some of the animals possibly started fighting and “then ultimately attacked and mauled the victim,” sheriff’s Lt. Michael Gomez told KTLA-TV.

The man may have been breeding and selling pit bulls because investigators found 13 dogs, including eight puppies, in the yard, authorities said.

The dogs were turned over to provincial animal control officials.