HAWTHORNE, Fla., June 12 (UPI) -- A Florida man underwent hours of surgery to save one of his arms after dogs attacked him in his yard, ripping one of his arms completely off, officials said.
Investigators said Roy McSweeney, 74, of Hawthorne, also sustained injuries to his face when dogs belonging to Deanna Blitch attacked him while he was working in his yard Friday.
The Gainesville Sun said the dogs, pit bulls or pit bull mixes, were euthanized and would be tested for rabies.
"He was in his yard doing yard work when the dogs jumped over the fence and attacked him," said Putnam County Sheriff's Capt. Johnny Greenwood. "An investigator said the surgery would take 6 to 8 hours."
Blitch said her attorneys advised her not to comment on the incident, although she said she is concerned about McSweeney.
"Our concern is with Mr. McSweeney," said Dan Dickerson, Blitch's brother. "He is a friend of our family. We've known him for years -- he's always lived in this general area and in that house for maybe a year," Dickerson said. "I heard there was a brouhaha over here. I know he is in bad shape."
