A GOOD neighbour who volunteered to feed an absent friend's dogs ended up being cornered when one of them turned nasty.

The hapless 32-year-old was chased through his neighbour's house, in Acomb, and was forced to take refuge in the upstairs kitchen.

But with the dog growling savagely at the kitchen door and the house keys left in the front door there was no escape, and the man was forced to call the police.

Inspector Glyn Payne, of York Police, said officers attended the flat after receiving reports that one of two Bull Terriers had "gone berserk" in the hallway.

He said that officers offered used a nine-metre ladder to get the terrified man out through an upstairs window.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was an unusual situation, but officers from Acomb were happy to help.

Emergency services were today working with animal carers to ensure the two dogs could be looked after until their owner returned.

Updated: 10:50 Monday, July 28, 2003