The police say residents in the St Catherine community where an elderly man was mauled to death by a group of dogs have been reluctant to provide investigators with written statements about the incident.

Whittington Cole, 66, of Hampton Green, Spanish Town, was reportedly walking home shortly after midnight on July 21 when he was attacked by a group of dogs at the intersection of Grants Crescent and Locksley Avenue in his community.

The police report that Cole was badly bitten and was assisted by residents to the Spanish Town Hospital where he died while undergoing treatment.

A statement released by the Constabulary Communication Unit says investigators visited the community on a number of occasions "with the aim of seeking the truth surrounding the incident."

According to the police information arm, a number of residents have shared information about what they heard, but have been unwilling to provide written statements.

"We are therefore appealing to persons who have seen or heard anything regarding this incident to contact the Spanish Town Police Criminal Investigations Branch at 876-984-2305, police emergency number 119, Crime Stop at 311 or 811 or the nearest police station.