LEESBURG, Va. - Leesburg Police confirm a 20-year-old resident and another dog were killed by a family member's two pit bulls.

Carter Delaney was killed by his brother's young pit bulls and neighbors say his grandfather made the disturbing discovery in the 100 block of Plaza Street NE shortly before 2 p.m. Monday.

"We were really saddened by it. Me and my kids are going to come out and put something down," said neighbor Doodie Summers.

Neighbors who lived near the Leesburg home where Delaney was mauled to death by two family pit bulls were shocked. "Oh my God, it is a true family tragedy," said neighbor Joe Neville.

Leesburg Police released the medical examiner's preliminary autopsy findings and said Delaney's body was covered with puncture wounds - dog bites. There was a deadly wound around his neck, cutting off blood to his brain.

The report has lead detectives to conclude two 4-year-old pit bulls, that were staying at the home, attacked and killed Delaney. Another dog, a small pug mix was also found dead.

Neighbors speculate if Delaney was trying to protect the smaller dog, his mother's pet, when the pit bulls turned violent.

"Did the dogs attack the small dog? Did the male try to intervene on some level? [It's being] treated officially as a suspicious death," said Officer Chris Jones of the Leesburg Police Department.

Delaney was home alone with the dogs. Officials say the two American pit bulls were registered and licensed to his brother. The dogs are now quarantined at the Loudoun County (web | news) Animal Shelter pending the investigation.

Long time neighbors say Delaney was well-known and well liked. Some neighbors witnessed the grandfather's arrival at the disturbing discovery and the family's race to the home.

"Our neighbors took care of the grandfather and hopefully... he was comforted," said neighbor Joe Neville.

A family friend who didn't want to show her face on camera said they had no idea anything like this could ever happen. "There can be pit bulls that are very well behaved. But you never know, you never know when they're going to snap. You never know when that's going to happen. And it was just a sad situation," she said.

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