A Mission, B.C., man is recovering from serious bites to his leg after being attacked by three pit bulls in his yard.

Police say the dogs were wandering loose when they wandered onto the 53-year-old's Ferndale-area property and approached him.

"The man was able to fend off the three dogs and get into his vehicle for safety," Mission RCMP member Dave Field said.

The victim was taken to hospital where he was treated for serious injuries to his leg.

Meanwhile, police say the dogs entered another yard and attacked a horse. It was bitten, but not seriously injured.

Police say it could have been much worse.

"This is a 53-year-old male who was able to fend for himself," says RCMP Insp. Gary Leydier.

"I shudder to think might have happened is this person was elderly."

Mission Animal Control and RCMP captured two dogs from the owner's property.

The third dog is back with the owners.

Both RCMP and animal control are investigating and have not said what will happen to the dogs.