Elderly man killed in dog attack in Washington Park, Illinois

An elderly man was killed by a pack of dogs on a street in Washington Park, Illinois, on Thursday night. James L. Gibson, 68, suffered multiple bite wounds after being attacked by at least five dogs while taking a smoke break from working on a rental property, according to local news reports. During the attack, the dogs dragged Gibson across the street and attempted to pull him into a ditch. Responding officers shot several of the dogs when they became aggressive, and the remaining dogs fled to a nearby wooded area. Gibson was pronounced dead at the scene. Google Street View images from April reportedly show dogs running freely in the area. Investigators believe the dogs were strays, but neighbors indicated that the dogs have frequently escaped from a fenced yard for about two years. It remains unclear who owns the dogs. Local resident Mike Tomlin reported hearing Gibson's cries for help during the attack. St. Clair County Animal Control stated that it had not received prior calls about the dogs. The Washington Park Police Department could not be reached for comment.