Man dies in dog attack in North Philadelphia

A man has died after he was attacked by four dogs in the rear yard of a home in North Philadelphia's Hunting Park section Thursday night, authorities said.

In an effort to rescue the man, a police officer shot and killed one of the pit bulls involved in the attack on the 1300 block of  West Pike Street, prompting the other dogs to flee back into their house, police said.

The man, whose name has not yet been released, was taken to Temple University Hospital in critical condition after the 9 p.m. attack, police said. He died at 10:18 p.m.

Neighborhood resident Janet Wilkie told NBC10 she had just given the man a plate of food when he went down an alley to the yard of the home of where the dogs live. She said she could not understand why he was in the yard.

Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said the man was so covered in mud and dirt when officers rescued him they could not even estimate his age.

The investigation is continuing. This story will be updated as information becomes available.