Detectives believe a man who was found dead in a south coast unit had been mauled to death by his dog after he suffered a medical episode.

Key points: Police first thought the man died in suspicious circumstances due to his injuries

Police first thought the man died in suspicious circumstances due to his injuries Further investigation led detectives to believe the dog killed him after he suffered a fit

Further investigation led detectives to believe the dog killed him after he suffered a fit There were more than 4,500 dog attacks in NSW in the 12 months leading to June 2018

Emergency services were called to the man's unit in Nowra just before midday on Monday after concerns were raised by his neighbours.

The 51-year-old was found with horrific injuries which resulted in him losing a large amount of blood inside the unit in Douglas Street.

Police initially described his death as suspicious but have since ruled out foul play.

It is believed the man's dog was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

The incident is the latest in a string of deaths after owners have been mauled by their pets.

In May, a 72-year-old woman died in hospital after she and her husband were attacked by their dog at a house in south-west Sydney.

And in March, a man attacked by two dogs in Sydney's west died in hospital.

The 40-year-old man was staying at a home in Tregear with two American Staffordshire Terriers when he was set upon by the animals.

He went into cardiac arrest and was taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition and died five weeks later.

Increase in dog attacks across NSW

Statistics have revealed an increase in attack incidents across NSW.

Dog attack records kept by the NSW Officer of Local Government reveal 4,770 recorded dog attack incidents, on humans or animals, in the 12 months up to June 2018.

It resulted in 681 people requiring medical treatment.

It is up slightly from the 4,643 incidents recorded in the 12 months to June 2017.

The top two breeds involved in the attacks were American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.