Mastiff shot dead after attacking owner

A hungry Tibetan mastiff attacked and seriously injured its owner in Putian city on the evening of Sept 19 before being shot dead by police. The owner, surnamed Fang, was given the dog as a gift by a friend about a month ago. However, the poverty-stricken Fang lacked the finances to feed the dog, which was more than 1 meter long and about 80 cm tall. The dog became aggressive toward Fang and bit him in an attack that lasted about 20 minutes. Fang’s neighbors tried to beat the dog off him, but Fang asked them to stop. They then called the police, who arrived and shot the dog dead. Fang was said to be in a semiconscious condition after being sent to the hospital.