Neighbours have spoken of their shock after a dog was reportedly stabbed to death for biting a man.

The pet was found dead in the garden of the man's house in Cowper Road, Sittingbourne.

Witnesses said a man emerged from the property with "lacerations to both arms" and covered in blood minutes before police and emergency services arrived.

They then described seeing a "huge" dog being taken away in a yellow polythene bag by RSPCA officers.

The alleged incident involving the dog, which according to residents living nearby resembled a Newfoundland, happened at about 5pm on Sunday.

"There were cop cars everywhere, at least five or six of them in the road..." - neighbour

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "I came home at about 5.30pm and there were cop cars everywhere, at least five or six of them in the road.

"An ambulance was there and the RSPCA. Then after the dog was taken away, the man was driven off in an ambulance.

"To be honest, I didn't know anybody lived at the address, so it was quite a shock to see what was going on."

It is believed a young family lives at the house where the dog died.

The terraced property, which appeared to be unoccupied, has a sign next to the front door, saying, "Caution, dogs running free".

According to neighbours, the animal was kept in the garden.

A spokesman for the RSPCA would only confirm the dead animal was "a huge breed of dog" because of fears of reprisals against the owner.

She confirmed two other pets at the address were taken into its care following the death.

A 34-year-old man was taken into police custody on suspicion of animal cruelty on Sunday evening before being released. The investigation has been handed to the RSPCA.