A man was grievously hurt on Thursday morning after he was attacked by his own dog, the police said.

The accident took place in Frejgatina Street, St Paul's Bay.

The man tried to intervene between two dogs that attacked each other, with the man's own pet biting its owner before running away.

The dog was considered dangerous and the police were asked for assistance.

Officers were constrained to shoot the dog, the police said.

The owner - no details about him were given by the police - was taken to Mater Dei Hospital for treatment.