Dog Bites Off, Swallows Owner's Nose

B E R L I N, July 2 -- A dog bit off and swallowed hisowner’s nose on Saturday in the latest of a spate of attacksthat has provoked a crackdown on fighting dogs in Germany.

Police said the Staffordshire terrier turned on his ownerduring a scuffle with youths in Berlin who had complained abouthis owning an aggressive dog. The man was taken to the hospital.

Two dogs mauled a 6-year-old boy to death inHamburg last Monday and owners of pit bulls and other breeds offighting dogs are fast becoming ostracized as a result of theattacks.

The government reacted to the child’s death by imposing anationwide ban on the breeding of fighting dogs and regionalauthorities are tightening up restrictions on ownership andhandling.

But the crackdown has sparked fears that owners may simplyabandon their dogs, leaving them free to roam around cities.