An off-duty officer shot a man Saturday after the pair argued over the man's dog defecating on the policeman's lawn in Northeast Philadelphia.

A 39-year-old man was walking his dog passed the officer's home on the 6400 block of Oakley Street in the city's Lawncrest section around 11: 50 a.m., when the dog defecated on the officer's front lawn, according to reports.

The policeman asked the man to pick up after his pet, which led to an argument.

Authorities say the man, of the 6400 block of Argyle Street, left the area, but he returned to the officer's home without his dog a few minutes later.

He then approached the officer and a physical altercation ensued, according to officials.

The man punched the officer several times in the face and head, before pulling the policeman's hooded sweatshirt over his head, covering his face while he continued his assault, according to investigators.

The officer, who was facing away from his attacker while he continued to receive blows, drew his Glock pistol, which was holstered to his hip, and fired backwards, according to reports.

The bullet struck the man in the right thigh, causing him to fall to the ground. The man was transported to Albert Einstein Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

The officer was transported to Jeanes Hospital, where he was treated for facial lacerations and bruises, and released.

The Internal Affairs Unit is investigating the incident, which will be reviewed by the District Attorney's Office, according to reports.

The officer is placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation.

Police did not release the name of the officer's attacker, but said he will face aggravated assault charges.

The man has been arrested previously for driving under the influence and in two separate burglaries.