A dog described by Highland police as
"dangerously out of control" had to be put down after turning on its owner in an incident which forced the closure of a busy city road.
The drama unfolded in Inverness around noon today.
Police said the 51-year-old male, who has not been named, suffered injuries to both arms following the incident on Sir Walter Scott Drive.
The man was taken to hospital after the attack by his dog, whch is understood to be a mixed breed Staffordshire bull terrier/American Bulldog.
Police said the man's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. He was treated at nearby Raigmore Hospital.
In the interests of public safety, Sir Walter Scott Drive was closed for approximately 30 minutes whilst veterinary assistance was hailed.
Comment: The other deaths caused by bears in 2014 in north America -
Bear attacks - fourth fatality this year in North America: Bear kills hunter near Norman Wells, Canada
Bear attacks and kills 31-year-old man in Wyoming
Rick Cross, missing Kananaskis hunter, killed in bear attack, Alberta
Woman killed by a black bear in Fort McMurray, Alberta
By way of comparison the number of deaths in the recent past (years 2000 - 2013) seem to average out to about just two a year, going by this wikipedia list -
List of fatal bear attacks in North America
A number of fatalities has also occurred recently in Russia -
Bear attacks kill at least three people with many others injured in Siberia and far-east Russia