Man killed by fighting dogs

BLACKPOOL, England, May 3 (UPI) -- A man in northern England died after suffering severe bites and falling in several attempts to break up a fight between his housemate's dogs, officials said.

The dogs were German shepherds, known in England as Alsatians. When the 21-year-old tried to pull them apart Friday, the dogs attacked him, The Daily Mail reported Saturday.

Police in Lancashire said the attack occurred in the backyard of a Blackpool house the young man shared with the owner of the two dogs.

The victim died Friday night at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Investigators said the cause appeared to be head injuries from falling while the dogs were attacking him rather than the bites he suffered during the ordeal.

The dogs were put down at the owner's request.

A neighbor told the Mail the victim recently moved into the house and was renting a room from the owner.