Man seriously hurt after being mauled by pit bulls in Lauderhill

Owners say dogs escaped from fenced-in yard

LAUDERHILL, Fla. – A man was seriously hurt Saturday after being mauled by a pack of dogs, Lauderhill police said.

Lauderhill police Lt. Michael Santiago said Tony Elliot, 55, was walking in the 3100 block of Northwest Fourth Court just before 10 p.m. when three pit bulls attacked.

The owners told police that they were cleaning the dogs' cages when the pit bulls escaped from their fenced-in yard and onto the street.

Police said neighbors and the owner of the dogs helped to get the dogs off Elliot, who suffered puncture wounds to his face, both calves and feet, along with a 4-inch laceration to his left cheek.

Santiago said Elliot was taken to Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, where he was listed in serious condition.

Broward County Animal Care is investigating the case. It's unclear whether the owners will be cited, but the owners surrendered the dog to authorities, saying they "can't be trusted."

Those dogs are now being quarantined at Broward County Animal Care pending the investigation.

Another dog attack happened at the same address in October, Santiago said. However, police aren't sure whether the same animals were responsible.

Three people were hurt in that attack, Santiago said.


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Sanela Sabovic joined Local 10 News in September 2012 as an assignment editor and associate producer. In August 2015, she became a full-time reporter and fill-in traffic reporter. Sanela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film from DePaul University.

Dawn Jorgenson, Graham Media Group Branded Content Managing Editor, began working with the group in April 2013. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media.