The body of caretaker Jacob Adams, 40, has been discovered at a property owned by actor Ving Rhames. Authorities say the man was mauled to death by Rhames' four guard dogs - three massive bull mastiffs and a large English Bulldog. The victim was found lying on the front yard of the Brentwood home with bite marks covering his body.
"There's no doubt he was attacked by the dogs," said LAPD Lt. Ray Lombardo. "Whether or not the coroner can determine that the mauling actually caused the death, or the mauling contributed to him having a heart attack, that's a decision the coroner will have to determine."
As the coroner determines exactly how the victim died, detectives are trying to figure out how many of the dogs were involved in the mauling. The attack happened between two Brentwood homes. Both properties are owned by Rhames, who is currently out of the country.
Police say there were more than half a dozen dogs on the property at the time, but only four animals were running loose. Investigators say at this point they don't know why the dogs turned on the victim.
"Law enforcement has reported on stories before, where homeowners have had their dogs, what they call family dogs, turn on them or their children. This appears to be another tragic incident along those same lines," said Lt. Lombardo.
