WASHINGTON — An 87-year-old Frederick County man was mauled to death by his pit bull while taking down his Christmas tree, according to NBC Washington.

Police say Eugene Smith was in the middle of the task Wednesday afternoon when the dog attacked him. Smith was seriously hurt and taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Smith lived along Stonehouse Road in Frederick County with his son and his son’s fiancee, NBC reports. The dog has since been put down.

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