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Pit Bull Attack In Stockton Leaves Man Dead

STOCKTON (CBS13) – More details are expected to be released in case of a Stockton man who died when a dog attacked him over the weekend.

Neighbors say it started with an argument outside when one of the homeowner's three pit bulls became violent.

Authorities received two calls for the incident on Saturday: one for the fight, then a second for the dog attack.

When deputies arrived, they say the dog was acting so aggressive they were forced to fire.

"They were drawing their guns and I said 'Oh, I do not want to see this.' So I went in the house and I slammed the door and I heard the shot," said neighbor Stephanie Steffens.

Investigators with the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department say they're working to determine if the dog had rabies, which could explain its sudden violent behavior. They expect an autopsy on the victim to determine an official cause of death.

It's still not clear if that man died from the dog bites or if he had a previous medical condition.

Deputies have identified the victim as 43-year-old Earl Wayne Stephens Jr.

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