The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has revealed the official cause of death of Dominic Anthony Cooper, a Compton resident who was fatally attacked by his own pit bulls in February.
Cooper died from “multiple traumatic injuries,” and his death has been classified as an accident. The tragic incident occurred on February 15 in the backyard of a residence located on North Thorson Avenue in Compton, according to Fox 11.
The 35-year-old father was apparently feeding his dogs when a fight broke out among the dogs, leading to the fatal attack.
Surveillance footage captured part of the incident. There were a total of 13 dogs at the residence, including five adults and eight puppies aged four to six months.
Los Angeles County Animal Control removed the pit bulls from the backyard. Cooper was allegedly involved in breeding and selling pit bulls, according to county officials.
All 13 dogs, including the puppies, were euthanized.
The medical examiner’s report on Cooper’s death suggested it was likely caused by multiple factors rather than a single definitive injury. Factors included blood loss, physical exhaustion from the attack, and the potential for hypothermia.
However, the report noted that these conclusions couldn’t be confirmed with certainty. Based on available information, including history, circumstances, and autopsy findings, the death was deemed an accident.
The medical examiner’s report detailed that the 35-year-old man sustained multiple penetrating and traumatic injuries, including wounds to his upper and lower extremities.
He also had numerous abrasions of various sizes, ranging from 1/4 to 3/4 inch, with some resembling bite marks, distributed across his body, particularly in the extremities and buttocks.
Cooper’s body was discovered in a kennel in his Compton backyard on February 16. He was found in the morning by his girlfriend, who promptly alerted authorities. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, and Animal Control arrived at the scene and Cooper was pronounced dead at approximately 8:10 a.m.
