Officials in Alabama euthanized a pack of dogs after local law enforcement said they fatally attacked a man over the weekend.
Demarcus “Sam” McKenzie II, 27, of Skipperville, died on Saturday, a Dale County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson told USA TODAY on Tuesday.
An Ozark-Dale County E911 spokesperson said deputies responded at 9:15 a.m. to a home in Skipperville, where McKenzie was found unresponsive in driveway.
The home is in an unincorporated rural community about 85 miles south of Montgomery just west of the Georgia state line.
Emergency personnel later declared McKenzie dead at the scene, officials said.
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An initial homicide investigation
Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum could not immediately be reached Wednesday morning by USA TODAY, but local station WDHN confirmed the man’s death was originally being investigated as a homicide after investigators said it appeared McKenzie suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
After reviewing surveillance video from the home, the outlet reported, detectives determined he died as a result of a dog mauling after investigators obtained home video footage. In the video, investigators said, McKenzie is seen leaving an acquaintance’s home when one of the homeowner’s dogs turns aggressive at him.
Bynum told the outlet McKenzie attempted to run from the dog, but more dogs joined in the pursuit causing McKenzie to trip and fall in the driveway. The video, the sheriff said, shows a pack of dogs maul McKenzie as he tried to stand up.
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Autopsy results pending as incident remains under investigation
Results of an autopsy are pending, officials said, adding the case remained under investigation Tuesday.
It was not immediately known the breeds of the dogs or what day they were put down.
As of Tuesday no charges had been announced in the case.
Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.
