A man accused of beating a neighbor to death in an argument over a barking dog has been charged with causing intentional injury.

A man accused of beating a neighbor to death in an argument over a barking dog has been arrested, Qingpu District prosecutors said yesterday.

The incident occurred on August 23 when the suspect Zhang took his dog for a walk after dinner. The dog was running free and barked at neighbors in the residential complex where Zhang lived.

Two of his neighbors, Zhou and Qu asked him to control his dog but he refused. The two sides quarreled and it quickly escalated into violence. Zhang assaulted Qu who collapsed and died.

An autopsy showed Qu, who had just had dinner, choked on his own vomit after being struck in the stomach.

According to the city’s rules all dogs must be on a leash in public places. Offenders can be fined up to 200 yuan (US$29).

In an interview with news website eastday.com, Zhou said she had gone downstairs to collect a package, but her way was blocked by the dog and she felt it was going to attack her. Terrified, she called for her stepfather Qu to help her.

Qu shouted at the dog, which angered Zhang and his mother.

Zhang’s mother slapped Zhou on the face and, when Qu came to her aid, Zhang furiously beat him until he collapsed.

An ambulance came but Qu was found to be dead at the scene.