A tragic incident shook the community of Bacliff, in Galveston County (Texas), this Sunday, when a man died after being attacked by his two dogs inside his property.

The Galveston County Sheriff's Office (GCSO) reported that agents went to the 400 block of Louisiana Avenue, where they found Jesus Castillo, 45, being bitten by one of his pit bulls.

According to the report, officers had to shoot one of the dogs to get it to release the victim, who was rushed to a hospital, where he died a short time later from his injuries.

“I heard him screaming, pleading, crying”

The victim’s neighbor, Jesus Excontitta, recounted the moments of terror he experienced when he heard Castillo’s desperate screams.

“I heard him screaming, screaming, screaming, pleading, crying. I can still hear his voice,” he told ABC13, visibly shaken.

Excontitta ran to help and, when he saw that the dogs wouldn’t let go of their owner, tried to defend him with a butcher knife.

“I hit him in the face and he stopped completely. I tried to do the same thing with the other dog,” he explained.

However, the second animal continued the attack, so the neighbor reached for another knife and stabbed it, unsuccessfully. When police arrived, one of the pit bulls was still clinging to Castillo's arm.

The animals were euthanized

Following the incident, the GCSO confirmed that both dogs were euthanized by animal control the next day.

Excontitta said he is distraught over the loss of his neighbor, whom he had known for six years.

"It's a horrible experience. I didn't think it would be the last time I would speak to him," he said.

Authorities remain investigating to determine what may have triggered the attack.