The attack took place about 6:45 a.m. Saturday in the area of 166th Street at Graystone Avenue, according to Lt. Steve De Jong of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau.
The elderly victim, described as a Norwalk resident, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital on Sunday morning, the lieutenant said. His identity was not yet released by coroner's officials.
He was walking west along 166th Street when he was approached and attacked by at least one of the two dogs, De Jong said.
The victim suffered bite wounds to his left arm, officials said. A major artery was severed.
Two bystanders intervened to help stop the attack and called 911, according to De Jong.
Paramedics took the man to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the following morning.
An official cause of death will be determined through an autopsy.
Dog owner 'apologetic,' cooperative
At the time of the attack, the dogs' owners as searching for his lost pets.
"The owner of the dogs was actually driving around looking for the dogs because he knew they got out," De Jong said.
The owner cooperated with investigators, he added. "He was extremely apologetic. He was devastated."
The owner was initially allowed to secure the animals at his property as animal control officials were summoned to take custody of them, officials said.
Both homicide detectives and animal control officials were conducting investigations.
USA TODAY
Reader Comments
to our Newsletter