Clifford Phillips Jr. was killed in a dog attack at Second Chance Animal Alliance in Water Way, Miss., on July 18
The 57-year-old had been working at the animal shelter for two years at the time of the fatal incident
He was allegedly attempting to put two dogs in a pen when he was mauled to death, WREG News reported
A worker at an animal shelter in Mississippi was mauled to death by two dogs in his care.
On the afternoon of July 18, Clifford Phillips Jr., 57, was fatally attacked while working at Second Chance Animal Alliance, a non-profit organization where the two dogs were sheltered, in Water Way, WREG News reported.
“A dog was already in a pen and he was trying to put another dog in there and the other dog tried to run out, and he tried to hold him off with his foot and that dog grabbed his leg, pulled him down,” friend Dudley Woods told the outlet.
“And then the other dog jumped in with him. One of them was a pit, and the other was a pit mixed breed, and they killed him. They got it all on tape down there,” he said.
Police shot and killed one of the dogs in order for first responders to get to Phillips and treat him, however, he died at the scene, the North Mississippi Herald and U.K. newspaper The Independent reported.
According to the outlets, a male dog initiated the attack and he was euthanized following the incident.
More than a dozen dogs were reportedly sheltered at the facility at the time, as well as the two dogs.
The canines had been seized as part of a court order relating to animal abuse and dog fighting, WREG reported, citing Yalobusha County Sheriff Jermain Gooch.
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Philips had worked at the animal shelter for two years at the time he was attacked. He moved with his family to Water Valley from his home state of Wisconsin in 2007, according to his obituary.
“His quiet and caring demeanor helped him foster a love for animals,” it reads. “And he remarked that he often felt more comfortable around his pets than around people, perhaps recalling the time he spent with Eon, his beloved childhood dog …He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.”
A memorial service was held for Philips at Sylva Rena Baptist Church in Mississippi on July 24.
PEOPLE has reached out to Second Chance Animal Alliance for comment.
