Police have identified the man killed in a brutal attack with a dog in Albany, but still have a lot of unanswered questions about why he was there and what exactly happened. James Provost, 59, of Schenectady, was killed in the attack Wednesday in the backyard of his home in the 500 block of Central Street. Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins said at a news conference that police received a call around 5:55 p.m. that a man had been attacked by dogs in the backyard of a home. The first officer on the scene saw the man being attacked by eight or nine mixed-breed pit bulls, according to Hawkins.
Police have identified the man killed in a brutal attack with a dog in Albany, but still have a lot of questions about why he was there and what exactly happened.
James Provost, 59, of Schenectady, was killed in the attack Wednesday in the backyard of his home in the 500 block of Central Street.
Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins said at a news conference that police received a call around 5:55 p.m. that a man had been attacked by dogs in the backyard of a home.
The first officer on the scene saw the man being attacked by eight or nine mixed-breed pit bulls, according to Hawkins.
“The officer fired his weapon in an attempt to stop the attack,” Hawkins said.
One of the dogs was killed. The other dogs ran away.
The dog caregiver helped police capture all of the dogs. The dogs’ owner lives in Cohoes, according to Hawkins. He said there had been some cooperation from the owner and carer in the investigation.
The attack happened in the yard next to where the dogs lived. Police said there were 24 mixed-breed bulls living there. Fifteen of them were puppies.
The remaining 23 dogs reside at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. Hawkins said a judge will have to rule on what happens to the dogs after the criminal investigation.
None of the dogs had the proper licenses, according to Hawkins. Four of them were licensed, but they expired in March.
Hawkins confirmed that police searched the property in May after receiving a complaint about drug activity. Five to seven dogs were confiscated at that time. He added that this was not the result of any malicious behaviour. The dogs were released.
They had no previous calls for animals at that location.
There were about four or five people staying in at least one of the units.
Hawkins said his department is working with the Albany County District Attorney’s Office to see if criminal charges are warranted.
“It was a horrific attack. Obviously when you keep that many animals somewhere in violation of city code, and some of those animals kill a person, there’s certainly a potential for that.”
Hawkins said the dogs were not raised in a “family atmosphere.”
“There are some very questionable activities going on in that place,” he said.
Investigators are still trying to determine why the victim was at the site and what his relationship was to the residents.
“We will do everything in our power to achieve justice for this person who was viciously attacked,” he said.
NewsChannel 13 will bring you updates on the case on air and online.
