Austrian army says soldier mauled to death by service dogs

Austrian army says a 31-year-old soldier appears to have been killed by two service dogs he was tasked with feeding.

army said an officer spotted two Belgian Shepherd dogs running loose at barracks south of Vienna early Thursday. fatally injured staff sergeant was subsequently found inside dogs’ kennel.

An investigation has been launched into cause of attack.

Austrian public brocaster ORF quoted a Defense Ministry spokesman saying one of dogs was an fully trained service dog while second, d about six months, was about to undergo training.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has expressed his condolences to victim’s family and to his fellow soldiers.

Austrian army has 170 service dogs.