Man killed by dogs at home of Ving Rhames

updated 2:56 p.m. ET Aug. 3, 2007

LOS ANGELES - Two mastiffs at the home of Ving Rhames apparently mauled a 40-year-old man to death Friday, authorities said.

The victim, who hasn’t been identified, had worked at the actor’s home for about two years and was responsible for caring for the dogs, said Los Angeles Police officer Sandra Gonzalez.

Animal services seized four mastiffs, she said.

“Two of those dogs appeared to be responsible for the tragic death,” Officer Jason Lee said. Several more dogs were left at the property.

Police got a call at 7:15 a.m. from someone reporting a dead body at the home in Brentwood. Gonzalez did not know who made the call.

Authorities said the victim was found on the front lawn, and Lt. Ray Lombardo said at a news conference later that the man had many bites and scratches “which appear to be dog bites.”

Rhames, 46, who appeared in the “Mission: Impossible” series of films, was not at home when the attack happened, she said. The actor bragged to Time magazine in 2001 that he had “eight Fila Brasileiro mastiffs — the national dog of Brazil, also used by U.S. Marines in jungle warfare.”

Calls to Rhames’ agent, Steve Muller, were not immediately returned.

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