WHEELING, W.Va. (KDKA/AP) – Police in West Virginia say a pit bull attacked and killed a man who was trying to help the dog’s ill owner.

The incident occurred Sunday night at a home on 14th Street in East Wheeling.

Lt. Phil Redford says police believe the dog’s owner suffered a heart attack. The other man was attacked by the dog as he tried to resuscitate the owner.

“There were three persons inside the residence which were acquainted,” said Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger. “The officers found one subject who had been attacked by a dog.”

The man who suffered the heart attack has been identified as 63-year-old David Wallace. His roommate, 62-year-old Roy Higgenbotham, was attacked by the dog.

A police department news release says both people were pronounced dead at a local hospital.

A female companion was also home at the time of the incident. She was later found by first responders on the roof of the home. Authorities believe she may have been trying to get away from the dog.

“When the firefighter brought the young female down from the roof she was very shaken up,” said a witness.

Ohio County Animal Control removed the dog from the home and placed it in quarantine.

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