According to Sheriff Chitwood, the boy, identified as Michael, was riding bikes with his friends in the neighborhood when they stopped at the front entrance of the subdivision to pet the dogs.

Witnesses rushed to help but could not save an 8-year-old boy attacked by dogs, according to investigators in Florida. It happened around 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, near the entrance of the Berry’s Ridge subdivision outside DeLand, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said Michael Millett was riding his bike when he stopped to pet the dogs near the entrance of a subdivision.