Man killed in apparent dog attack at the home of Ving Rhames, authorities say

Two dogs belonging to actor Ving Rhames apparently mauled a man to death at the star's home Friday, authorities said.

The 40-year-old victim, who has not been identified, had lived on the property and worked as a caretaker at the home for about two years, police said. He was among those responsible for caring for the dogs, said Los Angeles police Officer Sandra Gonzalez. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

Three bull mastiffs and an English bulldog were seized by animal services, police said.

"Two of those dogs appeared to be responsible for the tragic death," said Officer Jason Lee, adding that several dogs remain at the property.

Police were called at about 7:15 a.m. by someone reporting a dead body at the home in Brentwood. Gonzalez didn't know who made the call.

"The victim had a large number of bites and scratches which appear to be dog bites," Lt. Ray Lombardo said during a press conference.

The victim was found on the front lawn, Gonzalez said.

An autopsy was scheduled for Monday, said Capt. Ed Winter of the coroner's office.

"It's premature to say how he died," Winter said. "We don't know if he was attacked by the dogs and suffered a heart attack."

Rhames, 46, an action star who appeared in the "Mission Impossible" series, was not home at the time of the attack, Gonzalez said. The actor told Time magazine in 2001 that he had "eight Fila Brasileiro mastiffs _ the national dog of Brazil, also used by U.S. Marines in jungle warfare."

Calls to Rhames' agent, Steve Muller, were not returned.