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Livonia Man Out Jogging Killed In Dog Attack

METAMORA, Mich. (WWJ) - Police in Metamora are investigating the death of a 46-year-old Livonia man who was mauled by two large dogs Wednesday night.

Metamora Police Chief David Mallet said 46-year-old Craig Sytsma was out for a jog after work when he was attacked by two Cane Corso dogs.

Mallet said a neighbor who was cutting his lawn saw Sytsma lying in the ditch as the dogs were mauling him.

"The man described that it looked like he was wrestling with these dogs, but he was indeed being attacked by the animals," Mallet told WWJ Newsradio 950's Sandra McNeill.

The dogs were initially described in media reports as Bull Mastiffs; Cane Corso is a similar breed.

Mallet said these two dogs are known to police.

"We have taken couple of calls about animal bites in the past with these dogs, which those have also been turned over to animal control for their followup," Mallet said. "Typically when we get a dog bite we take the initial report from people and turn it over to animal control."

The county prosecutor is investigating possible charges in the case.

"I do hope something is done...This is disastrous," Mallet said.  "I don't know who he was, but I'm sure he was a fine gentleman, lost his life needlessly over somebody who couldn't control their animals."

The dogs are being held by animal control.

Metamora is located about 45 miles northwest of Detroit.

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