Man mauled by his pit bull while taking down Christmas tree

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) — Friends of an 87-year-old Frederick County man killed by his pit bull say he hadn't reported problems with the dog.

The Frederick News-Post reported Friday that Eugene Smith was an animal lover and fond of the pit bull.

Co-worker Kimberly Young says Smith, a milk truck driver, had said the dog was nice and would sometimes climb into bed with him.

County Animal Control Sgt. David Luckenbaugh says his agency hadn't gotten complaints about the neutered male before it attacked Smith as he lay on the floor Wednesday, taking down a Christmas tree. Authorities euthanized the dog.

Luckenbaugh says the family adopted the dog from an animal rescue organization in May.

The sheriff's office says Smith lived in a rural area north of Frederick with his son and his son's fiancee.