THORNDALE — A woman watched, horrified, Monday as the family dog attacked and killed her husband.

John Martin, 77, of Wellburn Road in Thames Centre was playfully poking his wife outside their home about 5 p.m. when the couple’s five-year-old-dog lunged at his throat, police said.

The wife, who had been standing in the driveway with a female cab driver, was eventually able to pull the dog off her husband.

Martin was pronounced dead at hospital in St. Marys.

The 40-kilogram mixed-breed dog has been quarantined by the Middlesex-London Health Unit at a local kennel.

Provincial police continue to investigate the incident, which occurred about 20 kilometres northeast of London.

For the latest local coverage, read The London Free Press on the web or in print.

To subscribe to the print edition, click on our subscription page.