Dogs Likely Attacked Man Who Drowned In Fresno County Canal
FRESNO (CBS/AP) -- Authorities say a man whose body was found in a Fresno County irrigation canal may have been attacked by dogs before he drowned.
The Fresno County Sheriff's Office says coroner officials found dog bites on 74-year-old Robert Simonian's arms and legs.
"The cause of death for Mr. Simonian has been determined as drowning. However, he did have marks on his body that are consistent with an animal attack," Sheriff Margaret Mims told CBS 47 News.
Sheriff's spokesman Tony Botti says it's possible that a dog or a group of dogs attacked Simonian as he walked along a canal bank, causing him to fall into the water.
He says detectives are asking for anyone who has seen a dog or group of dogs while walking or driving in the area of Barstow Avenue between Biola and Dickenson Avenues to call them.
Botti says that in April a man was killed in an animal attack in the same area. Detectives found a group of aggressive dogs but couldn't link them to the death and they were returned to their owner.
RELATED ARTICLE: Detectives Believe Dogs Attacked Man Found in Canal (CBS 47, Fresno)
TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report
