Apple Valley Man’s Sudden Death Unrelated to Dog Attack

APPLE VALLEY-(VVNG.com): A 59-year-old Apple Valley man is deceased following what many speculated to be a vicious attack by his dogs.

Per scanner traffic, units arrived to a residence on the 20900 block of Cayuga Road near Kiowa Road at about 6:15 p.m. on Friday, August 14th and found a man lying unresponsive on the property.

“According to witnesses, the man broke up a fight between two of his dogs and was walking back into his home when he appeared to be disoriented and fell to the ground,” said San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Spokeswoman, Jodi Miller.

Officials from the San Bernardino Coroner’s Department preparing to transport the body. (photo by Gabriel D. Espinoza)

Miller also stated that witnesses said the dogs did circle the man who had fallen to the ground and a few of the dogs tugged on his clothing in an unaggressive manner. Authorities confirmed the 59-year-old male was not attacked or mauled by his dogs.

Neighbors reported yelling out to the man who was unresponsive to their voices. The deputies attempted to enter the gate to the yard to render medical aid, but personnel were unable to get to the man due to the dogs that were described to be possibly being protective of the owner.

Animal control responded to the scene as the deputies were nearly forced to shoot the dogs in order to get to the man. Animal control officers were able to retrieve all seven of the dogs at about 6:35 p.m., and deputies were able to approach the lifeless body of the man.

Upon checking the man’s vitals, deputies were able to determine that he was deceased.

San Bernardino County Coroner’s responded to the location and processed the body before transporting. The identity of the deceased will be released pending notification of next of kin.