Man dies after being attacked by multiple dogs

WASHINGTON PARK, Ill. (KMOV/Gray News) - Investigators say a pack of stray dogs attacked two people, killing one, in Illinois Thursday night.

The attack happened in Washington Park. Resident Mike Tomlin saw the attack.

“I heard the man screaming, and then I could hear dogs,” Tomlin said. “I mean, he was screaming for his life.”

Washington Park police said the victim was taking a smoke break while working on a rental property when at least five stray dogs attacked, dragging him across the street and into a ditch.

Responding officers encountered the dogs and shot several of them after they became aggressive, police said. The pack then fled into a nearby wooded area.

The victim, who has not been identified, died of bite wounds to his face, torso, arms and legs.

“I realized he was getting mauled by some dogs,” Tomlin said.

Washington Park police said that two hours before the fatal attack, another caller reported that a woman had been bitten by the same pack of dogs. Police said they requested assistance from St. Clair County Animal Services for both 911 calls.

However, St. Clair County Animal Services officials told First Alert 4 they did not learn of the incident until Friday afternoon.

Washington Park police are working with the county to capture the stray dogs and urge residents to report any sightings.

The incident has left neighbors on edge.

“I’m being real careful,” Tomlin said. “I’m looking out.”