Dogs Maul Elderly Man to Death in His Own Yard

OKLAHOMA -- Crime scene tape and blood soaked grass, that's all that's left at 306 Walnut Street in Mead, Oklahoma after Monday's dog mauling.

"He was my best friend and I was his," says Levi Duncan, neighbor and best friend.

Thirty years. That's how long Duncan say's he's been walking over to this house to catch up with his buddy, 92 year old James Hurst.

"Real easygoing guy. He never had a bad word to say about nobody," says Duncan.

A day later, there's no talking, just remembering the horrific scene he witnessed in his best friend's yard.

Both feet, his face, his ears. His lips were gone. He didn't even look like the same person," says Duncan.

Hurst died shortly after his neighbors found him.

"They ate him up real bad," says Duncan.

Now Duncan says two neighborhood pit bulls are to blame and he says it's not the first time these animals attacked.

"My grandson got bit on his bicycle," says Duncan.

The two pit bulls were removed from their homeowner's residence, just a few houses down from the Hurst home. The family members of the homeowner told KTEN News on Tuesday that they didn't believe their dogs were responsible for the mauling.

They didn't deny the dogs were at the Hurst home, but they said that the neighborhood is known for dogs running and around and another dog could be responsible for the mauling.

Bryan County Sheriff Bill Sturch says as of Tuesday evening, the two pit bulls were caged at a local vets office. Sturch confirmed at the time of the arrest the animals did have blood on them and told KTEN news that blood is being tested to see if it matches Mr. Hurst. If it does, the dog owners could face charges, but that will be up to the District Attorney.

(KTEN - April 10, 2012)