Vicious dogs which mauled owner to death on the loose - urgent search launched by police
Police have launched a hunt for two American bulldogs (file photos)
PA/Getty
Police have launched an urgent search for two American bulldogs which are believed to have been involved in killing a man outside his home.
The 33-year-old man had been found dead in his own back garden in Rubery in the West Midlands on Wednesday - and while police had seized two dogs, they're on the hunt for two more.
West Midlands Police said officers had rushed to Hereford Close in the village in the early hours of Wednesday "to reports that a number of dogs were loose".
A statement added that the force are "working on the belief that he had been attacked by at least one dog, which may have contributed to his death".
Police have released a photo of one of the two dogs
West Midlands Police
A post-mortem is being carried out on Thursday to establish his cause of death, police added.
The force's Superintendent Sally Simpson said: "This is a really tragic incident, and the family of the man are being supported by officers.
"The investigation into his death is continuing and our priority right now is finding the other dogs that we believe may have been involved."
Police were quick to caution that none of the dogs involved is believed to be a banned breed.
MORE AS DOG ATTACKS SWEEP BRITAIN:
The dog is wanted alongside another in connection with a man's death in Rubery
West Midlands Police/Google
It is believed the dogs which officers are still looking for are "American Bulldog-types", a statement said.
It continued: "We have obtained images of one of the dogs we’re looking for.
"We are also looking for another similar dog, which is described as black.
"We are carrying out house-to-house enquiries, reviewing CCTV, and using our specialist dog officers and drone unit to find the dogs.
Inspector Leanne Chapman, from West Midlands Police's Dog Unit, said: "We have officers liaising with vets and the local authority, and are using our drone capability to scour the wider area.
"We really need to hear from anyone who has seen these dogs - and it's vital that if you see them, you don't approach them but call 999 immediately.
"Similarly, if you or someone you know has taken the dogs in after finding them loose, we need you to call us as soon as possible."
Police urged anyone with any information about the pair of dogs to call 999 quoting log 1149 of August 22.