A MAN has been mauled to death by his own dogs after they suddenly turned against him at a children’s playground.
Brave bystanders grabbed shovels and metal golf clubs to try and beat the killer animals off, but he couldn’t be saved.
On Friday, the owner brought his three XL bullies – a large, muscular breed banned in the UK – and a child to the Mesa Viking Neighborhood Park in San Diego, California.
The dogs suddenly started attacking the victim and dug their teeth into him as fearless onlookers rushed over to help.
People snapped metal golf clubs in half and whaled on the vicious pack, but nothing could get them to unlatch from his body.
A second person was bitten before a police officer finally tasered the animals, causing them to scatter.
Two of the bullies were captured at the scene, but the third escaped, sparking a desperate search.
A nearby elementary school was placed on lockdown as the murderous creature ran madly through the neighborhood.
First responders eventually found the dog back at its owner’s home, which was close to the park.
All three dogs have been euthanized, and the child who was with the victim was unharmed.
The witness who was also attacked is recovering from his injuries, but the dog owner died in the hospital.
Witnesses have shared their horror over the attack and said the chaos left them completely unaware of what was happening.
One neighbor, Steve Marto, said the dogs were “big” and made up of “just massive muscle.”
“I saw they had something trapped in the weeds over here,” he told Fox affiliate KSWB/KUSI.
“I thought it was a person at first because they were talking about setting up a perimeter.”
Another neighbor remembered seeing children at the playground watching as the dogs and Good Samaritans surrounded the victim.
The tragedy left some locals wondering why anyone would own the highly controversial breed.
From 2021 to 2023, the XL bully was responsible for the vast majority of fatal dog attacks that took place in the UK, according to the government.
Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to the victim’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time
San Diego Humane Society
That led to a nationwide ban in February this year, as it’s now a criminal offense to own an XL bully without an exemption certification.
“I don’t understand why someone would want to have three dogs that size,” Marto said.
“You’re just looking for a problem.”
The dogs were taken to the San Diego Humane Society, which made the decision to put them down.
A spokesperson said they were heartbroken to hear the news of the owner’s death.
“Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to the victim’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” the society said.
Fatal XL Bully attacks in the UK
A woman in her 50s was mauled to death at home by two XL Bully dogs in Hornchurch, East London, on May 21, 2014.
Esther Martin, 68, was looking after her grandson in Jaywick, Essex, when dogs Bear and Beauty attacked her on February 3, 2024.
Ian “Scouse” Langley, 54, was protecting his puppy when the animal pounced on him outside a home in Sunderland in October 2023.
Ian Price, 52, was viciously savaged in September 2023 by the beasts as he tried to protect his elderly mum from them after they escaped.
Jonathan Hogg, 37, was killed in May 2023. He entered the dog’s pen when it went for him, leaving bite wounds on his arm, leg, and head.
Natasha Johnston, 28, was mauled to death while walking a pack of dogs in January 2023 and was believed to have been killed by her own pet – an American Bully XL.
Shirley Patrick, 83, died 17 days after being mauled in a “hellish”, violent dog attack in December 2022.
Ian Symes, 34, who was known to friends as “Wiggy,” died at a recreation ground in Fareham, Hampshire, after the savage attack in August 2022.
Joanne Robinson, 43, was fatally mauled by pet Rocco at her home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire in July 2022.
Keven Jones, 62, went into cardiac arrest after being bitten by Cookie-Doe at Chanel Fong’s home in Wrexham, North Wales in May 2022.
Bella-Rae Birch, one, was mauled to death in March 2022 at her home by the American Bully XL.
Jack Lis, 10, was killed by a hulking XL Bully dog named Beast in November 2021 as he was playing at a friend’s home in Caerphilly.
