Police have identified the man who was killed in a brutal dog attack in Albany, but still have a lot of questions about why he was there and exactly what happened.

James Provost, 59, of Schenectady, was killed in the attack that happened Wednesday in the backyard of home in the 500 block of Central Avenue.

Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins said in a news conference that police received a call about 5:55 p.m. of a man being attacked by dogs in the rear yard of a home.

The first officer on scene saw the man being attacked by eight or nine mixed breed pit bulls, according to Hawkins.

“The officer discharged his weapon in an effort to stop the attack,” Hawkins said.

One of the dogs was killed. The other dogs ran away.

The dogs’ caregiver helped police to round up all the dogs. The dogs’ owner lives in Cohoes, according to Hawkins. He said there has been some cooperation from the owner and caregiver in the investigation.

The attack happened in the yard next to where the dogs were staying. Police said there were 24 mixed breed pit bulls living there. Fifteen of them were puppies.

The 23 remaining dogs are staying at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. Hawkins said a judge will have to rule on what happens to the dogs after the criminal investigation.

None of the dogs had proper licenses, according to Hawkins. Four had been licensed, but they expired in March.

Hawkins confirmed that police had searched the property back in May after receiving a complaint about drug activity. Five to seven dogs were confiscated at that time. It was not the result of any vicious behavior, he said. The dogs were released.

They had no previous calls for animals at that location.

There were about four or five people residing in at least one of the units.

Hawkins said his department is working with the Albany County District Attorney’s Office to see if criminal charges are warranted.

“It was a horrific attack. Obviously, when you’re keeping that many animals in a location in violation of city ordinance, and some of those animals kill a person, there’s certainly a possibility for it,” he said.

Hawkins said the dogs were not being raised in a “family atmosphere.”

“There as some very, very questionable activities going on at that place,” he said.

Investigators are still trying to determine why the victim was at the location and what his connection was to the residents. 

“We’re going to do everything we can to bring justice to this person who was viciously attacked,” he said.

NewsChannel 13 will bring you updates on the case on air and online.