BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. — A Brooklyn Center man has died after being attacked by four dogs he was watching for a family member.
Brooklyn Center police said the attack happened Thursday afternoon at a home on the 5700 block of Halifax Avenue North. Squads responded after a neighbor called police to report a man yelling for help while being attacked by multiple dogs.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner identified the victim as 22-year-old Dezmond Thomas Trawick.
Police said the attack was still underway as officers arrived on the scene, with one firing a less-lethal round that struck one of the dogs and dispersed the others. Officers on the scene reported that Trawick, "had most of his clothing ripped off and had extensive bites on most of his body." He was rushed to North Memorial Medical Center for treatment.
A police spokesman tells KARE 11 they were informed Thursday night that the man had died from his injuries. A police news release said, "The four dogs were of American Pit Bull Terrier dog breed." Investigators are in contact with the owners and at this point say criminal charges could be filed. Brooklyn Center police said they are unaware of any additional incidents involving the dogs.
Brooklyn Center authorities said the four dogs did not live at the home where the attack happened, but they were staying there for the day. The victim was taking care of the dogs at the time.
The animals are currently being quarantined and evaluated at Pets Under Police Security (PUPS), a joint facility used by eight north metro suburban police departments to securely house dogs and other pets while their fates are determined.
KARE 11 reporters are working on speaking to people in the area to learn more about what happened.
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