Police are searching for three stray dogs believed to have attacked a man found dead in the backyard of a Birmingham home.

A 33-year-old man, who looked after his brother’s dogs, was found dead in Hereford Close, Rubery, on Wednesday with dog bite injuries, West Midlands Police confirmed. Officers believe the man was attacked by at least one dog, which contributed to his death.

Two dogs were seized by police at the scene, both believed to be American bulldogs, but the breeds of the other dogs are unknown. Detective Inspector Leanne Chapman, of West Midlands Police’s dog unit, said there were “definitely” two more dogs to be found, but “possibly” three.

She said: “They could be together or separated. Please do not approach them, please do not try to grab them. We believe they were involved in an incident at a house where someone has died.

“I don’t know what happened in that house, but he has dog bite injuries. I don’t know which dogs are responsible for that, whether it’s the two we already have in custody or the two that are still free. One of the dogs we have has a head injury.

“It’s possible that the other dogs were also injured by this.”

West Midlands Police are using drones to find the dogs in open spaces, neighbourhood officers are checking door to door and dog handlers are out to catch the dogs.

Police are asking anyone who sees the dogs to not come near the area and to call 911.