Witnesses: Dogs Dismember 83-Year-Old Florida Man

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- An 83-year-old Florida man was dismembered by his neighbor's dogs, witnesses say.

Authorities say Michael Jason Downing was found dead Friday in the backyard of a home next to the apartment complex where he lived in Jacksonville.

The Florida Times-Union reports 52-year-old Lephus Felton wasn't home when the attack occurred. A fence separates the apartment complex from the home. On Monday, neighbors pointed out several holes in the fence where they say the dogs slip through.

Witnesses told CBS Jacksonville affiliate WJAX-TV they believe the dogs may have dragged Downing's body into Felton's yard.

"By far, it's probably the worst thing I've ever seen in my life," said Mackenzie Partin. "There was only 30 percent left of his body, probably."

Partin told WJAX the dogs dismembered Downing.

"They had dragged him underneath, back up underneath, to eat on him," Partin explained.

Another neighbor told the Times-Union that Downing's legs were ripped off and that the dogs tore flesh from his head and arms.

Felton told the newspaper he's hopeful the Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services will return the dogs once they've evaluated them. But neighbors told reporters they hope the dogs will be gone for good.

"They're wondering if they're coming back," Tasso Hunter, 56, told the Times-Union. "I keep telling them there's no way those dogs are coming back after what they did."

The Times-Union reports the dogs consist of a rottweiler and three mixed breeds consisting of German shepherd, rottweiler, and chow chow.

So far no charges have been filed.

Downing recently suffered a stroke.

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