Wednesday, 15 August 2007

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Ving Rhames speaks out on dog mauling

Actor pays tribute to devoted employee and dear friend

Ving Rhames released a statement Monday offering condolences over the death of his caretaker, who was mauled by the actor's dogs at Rhames's Brentwood, Calif. home earlier this month.

"I was out of the country when this shocking and terrible tragedy occurred on my property," the statement reads. "Jacob Adams was not just a devoted employee – he was also a dear friend. I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to his family."

Although Rhames goes on to say that a "coroner's report confirmed that my dogs were not the cause" of Adams' death, the Los Angeles Department of Coroner tells PEOPLE that an autopsy is still pending, and no initial findings have been released.

However, at the time of the body's discovery on Aug. 3, Capt. Matt Blake of the LAPD said that although the man was "definitely mauled" by Rhames's three mastiffs and one bulldog, "there is no solid evidence that they were the cause of death."

The case is still under investigation, Blake added.

It's unclear if Rhames will face any liability in the case, or what the fate will be of his dogs, which are still in custody at the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services.