Man allegedly killed by neighbour’s dogs in Alicante

SPANISH police are investigating the death of a 66-year-old man in Beniarbeig, Alicante, who was reportedly savaged by a group of five dangerous dogs owned by a neighbour.

The man was attacked as he walked from his home to a small farm where he had an orchard.

His badly-wounded body was discovered by his son, who became worried when his father failed to return and decided to search for him.

Guardia Civil officers confirmed that he had been killed by a group of dogs, since there are no dangerous wild animals in the area.

During interviews with local residents, one admitted that he owned five pit bull crosses, and although there were no traces of blood on them, at least one was soaking wet.

The owner claimed that it had fallen into his swimming pool, but further questioning revealed that the dogs were unlicensed and only one was micro-chipped.

The animals were seized and placed in a local pound, where they attacked one member of staff and destroyed their cage overnight.

Potentially dangerous dogs must be licensed in Spain, and the owner is likely to face charges of reckless homicide should his pets prove to be the killers.