Australian man attacked by kangaroo as he tries to defend his dog

Melbourne: An Australian man has been attacked by a kangaroo that was trying to drown his dog in a dam.

Victoria state paramedic Michael Vasopressin said the man had gone to rescue his dog, which was being held down by the kangaroo in a dam at Arthur's Creek, when the kangaroo turned on him.

The man suffered a deep cut across his abdomen, another on his face and a number of scratches on his chest and arms during the attack at the creek northeast of Melbourne.

The paramedic says the man is in the hospital in stable condition.

Kangaroos do not normally attack humans but will fight if they feel threatened.