Man dead after being attacked by multiple dogs while pet sitting for family member

(KSTP) Brooklyn Center police say a man is dead after he was attacked by multiple dogs early Thursday afternoon.

Family confirms 22-year-old Dezmond Ray Thomas Trawick died as a result of his injuries. They say he was a graduate of Brooklyn Center High School.

According to Brooklyn Center police, he died late Thursday evening after going through surgery for his injuries. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office also officially confirmed his identity Friday afternoon.

Officers were called to the 5700 block of Halifax Avenue for a report of a dog attack at about 12:45 p.m. and learned on the way to the scene that four or five dogs were attacking a man. When they arrived, officers found four dogs attacking him in a backyard and began deploying less-lethal rounds, which hit one of the dogs.

All of the dogs then went back into their home, and officers were able to give aid to Thomas Trawick.

Police say most of his clothing had been ripped off and he had extensive bites on his body. He was intubated at the scene before he was taken to an area hospital.

“He just kept screaming, and his voice kept getting lower and lower and I’m like are you okay but he couldn’t hear me,” said Lisa Yang, who lives next door. “I’m very shocked that the dog would attack the family, I’m really sorry.”

In addition, police say the residents of the home don’t own the dogs — they were staying at the home for the day, and the victim was taking care of the dogs.

The four dogs, identified by police as American Pit Bull Terriers, have been brought into a quarantine area, while a dangerous dog process, as well as an investigation, are completed.

Neighbors reacted to the loss of Thomas Trawick on Friday.

“I really wasn’t sure what had happened, I thought that one of the kids had gotten bit by a dog. We didn’t know, we just knew that something bad had happened,” said Jeanne Dietrich, who lives across the street. “It’s surprisingly, shockingly so sad, I felt so sad last night for them.”

If you’d like to support the family, a GoFundMe has been created.