This is the kind of story you would expect to see play out in a horror movie – it is unreal.
Michael Downing, 83, was killed in Jacksonville by four dogs owned by Lephus Felton.
The dogs apparently made a hole in the fence that separated Downing’s property from Felton’s property.
According to reports, the dogs ripped Downing to pieces right there and may have even dragged his body back under the fence to consume him – they ate him alive.
All four of the dogs, which were mixed breeds, were taken to Animal Care and Protective Services.
One neighbor estimated that only about 30% of Downing’s body was left.
Felton had once been accused of being a dog abuser – he allegedly kept his dogs malnourished, punched them, and locked them in cages.
But, the police found the dogs to be in good health and no further action was taken against Felton.
Mark Jones, a neighbor, said he knew that something bad was going to happen and that someone would lose their life.
Jones tweeted about the incident and said he hasn’t been able to get much sleep since he saw what the dogs had done to Downing.
Downing’s ashes will be scattered in the ocean.
He had worked at the Tax Collector’s Office for 30 years and had been retired for several years.
Downing’s friends said he had a zest for life and was always willing to help other people.
