NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a man whose body was found on the roadside in Calpella, with dogs attacking it.

Capt. Greg Van Patten said the man's body was discovered Friday morning.

At 10:41 a.m. the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office dispatch center received a telephone call from a motorist in Calpella who reported seeing an adult male laying on the ground in a clearing beside the roadway in the 5000 block of N. State Street, Van Patten said.

Van Patten said the motorist noticed what appeared to be two dogs attacking the adult male’s body.

A Mendocino County Sheriff's Office animal control officer arrived on scene and witnessed the two dogs, a Rottweiler and pit bull, standing over the man's body, Van Patten said.

The animal control officer yelled to the dogs to gain their attention and the Rottweiler aggressively charged at the officer, who Van Patten said discharged his duty weapon two times, hitting the Rottweiler at least once.

The Rottweiler fled a short distance away and died as a result of being shot by the officer. Van Patten said the pit bull, described as being white in color, fled the area and was not located after an exhaustive search of the area.

The animal control officer approached the adult male and noticed he was deceased, Van Patten said.

Sheriff's detectives and investigators from the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office were summoned to the scene. Van Patten said the investigation into the cause of the adult male’s death is ongoing.

At this time investigators do not believe the adult male died as a result of an animal attack although evidence of animal activity on the adult male's body was evident.

Sheriff's detectives have yet to identify the adult male and a forensic autopsy has been scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 18, according to Van Patten.

Animal control officers took possession of the Rottweiler with the intention of having an autopsy preformed on the animal, Van Patten said.

Van Patten said the owner, or owners, of the Rottweiler and pit bull have yet to be determined.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is urged to call the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Tip-line at 707-234-2100.