Officers were called to reports of a dog attack at an address on Maple Terrace in Shiney Row, Sunderland, at around 6.55pm.

A man in his 50s was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

A 44-year-old man was arrested in connection with the attack, adding the dog was "destroyed at the scene to ensure the safety of the public".

Police seized a second dog at the property as a precaution.

The breed of the dog has not been revealed and police have asked the public not to speculate over the incident.

It's the latest in a string of dog attacks in the UK.

On Monday morning, a toddler was bitten by a dog in Greenwich, while a man died last month after being attacked by two dogs in Staffordshire.

It comes as the prime minister vowed to expand the list of banned dogs to include American XL bullies, prompting protests by owners.