Deputies found the body of Eugene Cameron, 65, of Henderson, under a carport at 1189 Semora Road, west of Roxboro, late Saturday. Family members said he was checking on the house while his friend was out of town.
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| Person County deputies found the body of Eugene Cameron, 65, under a carport at 1189 Semora Road, on May 26, 2012. He has an injury on his right side consistent with a dog bite, authorities said. |
Witnesses said that Cameron was found naked, with his clothes balled up beside him, and bloody dog paw prints surrounded him. He had a severe injury to his right arm that could have caused him to bleed out, and the injury was consistent with a dog bite, according to a warrant.
Person County animal control officers seized an 8-year-old pit bull named DMX from Antonio Ford, who lives next to the house where Cameron was found dead.
Ford insists that DMX was caged up Saturday night.
"Unless he got a key to get out, I know he was in there," he said.
Sheriff Dewey Jones said Tuesday that the preliminary autopsy results indicate that the injuries that killed Cameron were consistent with a dog bite, but he said it could be several weeks before tests determine whether Ford's dog was responsible.
Ford said he saw Cameron's body, and he doesn't believe they look like a dog attack.
"He should have bite marks on his arms, neck, everywhere – all over his body," he said. "A dog is going for you.
"Why was he naked? I guess my dog took his clothes off?" he continued.
Ford and his family said that DMX is on a chain whenever it is outside, but other nearby residents said the dog sometimes roams the neighborhood and tries to attack their dogs.
Ford doesn't deny that DMX goes after other dogs when they're near – "I got a dog. I ain't got no cat. He fights other dogs," he said – but the dog isn't a killer.
He said that whoever or whatever killed Cameron is still out there.
"All that blood that was over there, whatever dog that was in there, that dog still has blood on him," he said.
Neighbors said coyotes are known to be in the area.
(WRAL - May 29, 2012)
