Housemate's grief after 'father figure' mauled to death by dog

A Perth man who witnessed his housemate and "father figure" being mauled to death by his own dog can't bring himself to return to their house as he struggles to cope with the attack.

Brody Gardner, 32, is understood to have been having an argument with 59-year-old Dave Whitney in their Morley home when his dog set upon him on Monday night.

The pair had been friends for almost 20 years and Mr Whitney had become like a father figure to the 32-year-old.

Mr Gardner told 9News he could not bring himself to return to the home they shared since his friend's pet inflicted life-threatening injuries and did not leave alive.

This was not the first time the dog had attacked, with both men needing plastic surgery after it attacked in April, according to neighbours.

Locals had made "several complaints" about the dog, with one woman claiming it had already attacked "numerous children".

Mr Whitney has been described as a gentle, and down-to-earth man who will be greatly missed.

His dog was put down after "lunging at police" who responded to the fatal attack.