'Dog death' caretaker identified

The 40-year-old, who lived at Rhames' Los Angeles property, was found dead on the front lawn covered in dog bites.

Three Bull Mastiffs and an English Bulldog were taken away by animal services following the discovery.

Representatives for Rhames, best known for his roles in Pulp Fiction and the Mission: Impossible films, said he was not at home when the incident occurred.

An autopsy is expected to be performed on Monday, said Captain Ed Winter of the Los Angeles coroner's office.

'Jungle warfare'

"It's premature to say how he died," said Winter. "We don't know if he was attacked by the dogs and suffered a heart attack."

However, authorities have said they believe two of Rhames' dogs were responsible for Mr Adams' death.

It is thought that the victim's responsibilities included taking care of the actor's dogs, a number of which remain at the property.

In 2001 the 46-year-old star told Time magazine he owned "eight Fila Brasileiro mastiffs - the national dog of Brazil, also used by US Marines in jungle warfare."

Since 1991 it has been illegal to advertise, breed or sell the breed in the UK without a court exemption.