Police: Man’s Death Apparently Result Of Mauling By Ving Rhames’ Dogs

An investigation into yesterday’s discovery of a body on the front lawn of actor Ving Rhames’ Brentwood residence continues, with authorities saying that the man’s death was apparently the result of a mauling by two of Rhames’ dogs.

The body was identified as Jacob Adams, 40, per the LA County Coroner. Adams worked as a caretaker at the home for about two years.

LA police officer Sandra Gonzalez told the Associated Press that the man (later identified as Adams) had resided at the home, and that he was among those responsible for caring for Rhames’ dogs, which reportedly include three mastiffs and an American bulldog.

“Two of those dogs appeared to be responsible for the tragic death,” officer Jason Lee told the AP.

Authorities told Access Hollywood that four large dogs were roaming loose when the body was found. The animals have since been taken into police custody. Several more dogs were left at the property, according to the AP.

LAPD Lt. Ray Lombardo told Access Hollywood’s sister station KNBC, Los Angeles, that the mastiffs were likely 200-pounds.

“Both those dogs are mastiffs; they’re rather large,” Lombardo said. “Normally we understand they are pretty friendly dogs. But, you know, there are occasions where dogs will turn on their owners or their caretakers, and this looks like a tragic accident.”

Lombardo stated at a press conference yesterday that “the victim had a large number of bites and scratches which appear to be dog bites.”

“It’s premature to say how he died,” said Capt. Ed Winter of the coroner’s office. “We don’t know if he was attacked by the dogs and suffered a heart attack.” An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

Gonzales said police were notified of the body by a call placed at 7:15 AM yesterday. She did not know who made the call.

Paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

Rhames owns both the home under investigation and the house next door to where the body was found.

Rhames was not home at the time. KNBC reported he is out of the country.

Access Hollywood has further learned that Rhames may not actually reside at the property.

The actor bragged to 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 placed by the AP to Rhames’ agent, Steve Muller, were not immediately returned.

Rhames has starred in a host of roles over the years including “Pulp Fiction” and the “Mission: Impossible” franchise.