An elderly man was killed by a pack of at least five dogs on Thursday night in Washington Park, Illinois. The victim, identified as 68-year-old James L. Gibson, was reportedly taking a smoke break from working on a rental property when the attack occurred.
According to reports, Gibson suffered extensive bite wounds to his face, torso, arms, and legs. The dogs dragged him across the street and attempted to pull him into a ditch during the assault. Responding officers encountered the aggressive dogs and shot several of them before the pack fled into a nearby wooded area.
Gibson was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators initially believed the dogs were strays. However, neighbors told local media that the dogs had frequently escaped from a fenced-in yard for approximately two years. It remains unclear who owns the animals.
Further complicating the incident, Google Maps Street View images captured in April show several dogs roaming freely on the same street where the attack took place. These images depict five dogs running on 49th Street in Washington Park, near homes, a small farm shed, and shipping containers. It has not been independently verified whether these specific dogs were involved in the fatal mauling.
A local resident, Mike Tomlin, recounted hearing Gibson screaming for his life during the attack. St. Clair County Animal Control stated it had not received any prior calls regarding these dogs. The Washington Park Police Department could not be reached for immediate comment.