A pit bull attack in Albany, New York, tragically claimed the life of a 59-year-old man, identified as James Provost, on Wednesday, October 9th, 2024.

Provost, a resident of Schenectady, was brutally attacked by nine dogs in a Central Avenue backyard, police reports confirmed. The incident happened around 6 p.m., leaving Provost severely injured, and he was subsequently declared dead at the scene.

Police Chief Eric Hawkins of Albany described the incident as “brutal and vicious.” Officers were at the scene within minutes of receiving the attack reports. They found the dogs still attacking Provost even after he had collapsed. In response, an officer fired his weapon, killing one of the dogs and causing the others to scatter. The dogs’ caretaker arrived soon after and secured the remaining dogs. It is not known why Provost was in the backyard.

The dogs resided at a nearby property, but the owner was not present during the incident; he lives in another city. The police are currently investigating whether to file criminal charges against the owner or caretaker. The property was found to house 24 pit bulls, including 15 puppies.

The adult dogs involved in the attack are now under the care of the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, while the Albany Police Department deliberates on whether to release or euthanize them.

Officials have revealed that the same residence was investigated in May 2024 for suspected drug activities, during which several dogs were seized but later returned to the owner. This prior event has raised concerns about the dogs’ living conditions and their involvement in the recent deadly attack.

Bystanders reportedly heard Provost’s pleas for help over the dogs’ aggressive barking. Some residents managed to record parts of the incident, providing local media with footage that underscored the severity of the attack and the difficulty faced by responding officers.

The dogs, all pit bulls, were found to be largely unlicensed, with four out of the nine adult dogs having expired licenses. Despite the city law requiring annual dog registration, there had been no prior animal-related complaints or issues reported at the residence.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association, pit bulls account for a significant 22.5% of dog bites in various studies. This incident forms part of a worrying trend of fatal dog attacks in the United States, with around 4.5 million people bitten by dogs annually, approximately 50 of these attacks resulting in fatalities.