LEESBURG, Fla. -- A man in Leesburg who heard screams for help from his neighbor during an attack by two pit bulls grabbed his shotgun and opened fire, possibly saving the man's life, according to a Local 6 News report.

Authorities with the Lake County Sheriff's Office said two pit bulls attacked Joe Pipala, 61, at his home on Maple Street in Leesburg Sunday.

Pipala said he thought he was going to die during the attack.

"I really thought that the end was here," said victim Joe Pipala. "I hit one with a four-by-four and I could have sworn that I knocked a tooth out and it and it didn't even stun it."

Pipala's wife, Susan, tried to distract the dogs as they attacked her husband.

"I started screaming and jumping up and down on the porch," Susan Pipala said.

However, the pit bulls would not stop moving in on Pipala, the report said.

Pipala's neighbor Jeff Lint heard the cries for help and grabbed his gun.

"I heard Joe yelling, 'Jeff help, Jeff, help,'" Lint said. "It was a scream of help. They would not let him alone. They were just all over him. I know Joe and I know that he has a heart condition. As a last resort, I got the 12-gauge shotgun and I come back over."

Lint fired and hit one of the pit bulls.

"It went down and did a 360 three different times and then got up and came after me again," Lint said. "So, I unloaded a second shot into it."

The dog died from the gunshot wounds.

The dead dog's owner was fined $50, the report said. He did not want to talk with Local 6 News about the incident.

"I mean (it's) odd that they got a ticket and nothing else (other than) a fine," Susan Pipala said. "Fifty dollars and bye-bye. No dog taken away. No dog quarantined."

Pipala told Local 6 News that he feels lucky to be alive.

"Now he wants to know from animal services what on earth is it going to take to get this dog off the streets," Local 6 reporter Vanessa Medina said.

The second dog involved in the attack belonged to one of the man's friends and was spotted back on its property later Sunday.

Animal services would not comment on the incident.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.