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74-year-old man mauled by pit bulls dies

PALATKA, Fla., June 16 (UPI) -- A 74-year-old Florida man died after two next-door dogs ripped off one of his arms, nearly detached his other arm and severely disfigured his face, police said.

Roy McSweeney of Palatka, who was working in his yard when the attack occurred Friday morning, died Wednesday at a Gainesville, Fla., hospital, Putnam County Sheriff's Capt. Johnny Greenwood said.

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He had also suffered brain damage due to severe blood loss from the attack, McSweeney's family lawyer said.

The dogs were euthanized soon after the attack, The Gainesville Sun reported.

McSweeney's family hired a law firm to investigate that also represents another man allegedly attacked by the same dogs in January 2010.

The second man, Robert Floyd, claims in a lawsuit he was attacked by the dogs, described by authorities as pit bulls or pit bull mixes, without provocation when he walked onto the property, which he was taking care of Jan. 13.

The alleged attack caused him pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, "loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life," medical expenses and loss of the ability to earn money, the lawsuit alleges.

It also alleges the dogs' owner, Deanna Blitch, 50, and her boyfriend, Beau Scurrey, knew or should have known the dogs were vicious, yet failed to adequately restrain them, the Sun said.

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No charges have been filed against Blitch or Scurrey, the sheriff's office said.

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