A Mississippi man lost his life last week after reportedly being mauled by a pair of dogs he was caring for at an animal shelter in Yalobusha County.
Authorities say 57-year-old Clifford Phillips, Jr. was killed in the incident while working at Second Chance Animal Alliance in Water Valley.
Phillips had worked at the non-profit, volunteer-led shelter for more than two years, according to reporting from WREG-TV.
While officials from the animal shelter have not been able to be contacted, some that knew Phillips spoke to the TV station, detailing that one of the dogs that attacked him was a pit bull, while the other was a pit bull mix. The canines were apparently recently seized by authorities in connection with an animal abuse and dog fighting case.
“Quiet, caring, and unassuming, Cliff never met a stranger,” a portion of an obituary published by Seven Oaks Funeral Home reads. “He loved people. Cliff enjoyed meeting people and swapping stories about their past experiences and sharing details of his own. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.”
Phillips was laid to rest at a memorial service in Water Valley on Thursday.
