A pack of dogs mauled and killed a 59-year-old man in Albany, New York, this week. 

An Albany police officer found James Provost of Schenectady in a back yard under attack by eight or nine dogs, which Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins described as mixed-breed pit bulls Wednesday evening. The officer shot one of the dogs in an attempt to stop the attack, and the dogs ran off, with a caregiver arriving shortly afterward to corral the dogs.

Authorities found 24 dogs at the house next door to the scene of the attack: 15 puppies, eight adults and one male that died as a result of the officer’s gunshot. None of the dogs were licensed. Four had been licensed, but they expired in March, Chief Hawkins said.

Police are investigating why Mr. Provost was at the house and why the unnamed owner of the dogs, who lives in Cohoes, New York, kept so many dogs there.

There had not been any previous complaints about animals being kept at the house, but about five to seven dogs had been confiscated in May following a search warrant related to drug activity.

“I do know that these were not dogs that were kept in what we would traditionally associate as a family atmosphere. There are a lot of questions that we have as to why they were there, exactly how these dogs were being raised, how they were being used and any other activities these dogs were involved in,” Chief Hawkins said.

The 23 dogs are staying at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. A judge will decide whether the dogs involved in the attack will be euthanized.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.