Man Mauled to Death While Looking After Brother’s Dogs, Including 2 Banned XL Bullies: ‘A Terrible Tragedy’

• A man died after being mauled by his brother’s dogs in Birmingham, England, last year
• New details tied to the incident were revealed during an inquest at the Birmingham Coroner’s Court this week
• XL bully dogs have been banned in England and Wales since Feb. 1, 2024

A man was found dead after being mauled by his brother’s dogs.

Nicholas Glass, 33, was found dead outside a home in Birmingham, England, last year after sustaining several injuries on his arms, feet and legs caused by dog bites and claws, according to the BBC, The Standard and ITV News. 

During an inquest at the Birmingham Coroner’s Court on Thursday, April 3, a detective with West Midlands Police said officers were called to the Birmingham home on Aug. 21, 2024, after neighbors reported dogs running loose in the streets, per the outlets.

The West Midlands Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on the incident.

Officers checked the property and reportedly found Glass “reasonably well hidden” behind a propped-up fence panel in the garden of the home. They also found blood on the floor and wall of one of the bedrooms, as well as near an open back window, ITV News reported.

Police said the man had volunteered to feed his brother’s dogs and was last seen just after 10 p.m. local time on Aug. 19, 2024, according to the BBC. It is believed that he then was likely bitten by one or more dogs shortly after he was last seen, per the outlet.

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“I can only hypothesize on what happened,” said assistant coroner Adam Hodson, per ITV News. “It is entirely possible he may have been attacked upon his return to the house, that he managed to leave the property via a window and called for help and that he managed to hide behind wooden panelling before succumbing to his injuries.”

ITV News reported that Glass sustained a major injury to his left arm, which exposed bone with teeth marks on it. He also sustained bruises, grazes and puncture wounds and tears caused by canine teeth and claws. 

An autopsy determined that Glass’ cause of death was trauma caused by dog bites, according to the BBC. The coroner’s report also concluded that no foul play was involved, the outlet reported.

Detectives said they seized four dogs as part of their investigation: two XL bullies — a breed banned in England and Wales — a Staffordshire bull terrier and a bulldog, according to reports. The coroner added that they weren’t able to determine which of the dogs caused Glass’ injuries, per ITV News. 

There was no certificate of exemption for the two XL bully dogs that were seized by police, according to ITV News.

People in England and Wales who want to own an XL bully dog require a certificate of exemption, according to country laws. The ban on the breed has been in place since Feb. 1, 2024.

“In my opinion it appears to be a terrible tragedy,” Hodson said during the inquest. “[Glass] was a caring brother and son who simply offered to look after his brother’s dogs and lost his life as a terrible consequence.”