KEENE, N.H (AP) – A Keene man who once went to the state Supreme Court to save his pit bulls from a death sentence had several of his dogs euthanized after he and his sister were viciously attacked by them.

Matthew A. Bemis, 23, was attacked by one of his dogs Sunday and injured seriously enough to require surgery. His sister, Mandi Davis, 25, was also attacked when she tried to help him.

Bemis and Davis had been bitten many times on both arms and legs, resulting in hundreds of puncture marks and areas of torn flesh. Police said the two were still in the hospital Monday morning.

Brutus and seven 1-year-old pit bulls were euthanized at Bemis request, Rivera said.

Bemis said an American pit bull terrier named Brutus, was barking at something outside a window, according to police. When Bemis tried to move the dog away from the window, Brutus attacked him, police said.

In 2001, Bemis appealed a Keene District Court ruling that three of his pit bulls be euthanized, taking his case to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

The dogs Reno, Kota and Rascal were sentenced to death after Reno mauled another dog. Bemis’ other dogs had often escaped and attacked other animals, police said.

The state Supreme Court upheld the lower court ruling in spring 2002, and the dogs were euthanized at the Monadnock Humane Society in Swanzey.

Joseph R. Begins dog Jessy was attacked by Reno in May 2001 and later died from those injuries. After the attack, Bemis was convicted on numerous counts of owning vicious dogs and was ordered to pay Begin’s medical and veterinary bills, up to $1,000.

Police said this latest attack is under investigation and charges could be filed against Bemis. They said he could also be made to pay for the dogs euthanization.

AP-ES-12-22-03 1737EST