A man shot and killed a dog at Christopher Morely Park out of fear for his life after it had begun attacking its owner Thursday afternoon, the Nassau County police said.

The man, 43, was at the North Hill’s park with his Belgium Dutch Shepherd, a large herding dog, when the dog began to “viciously attack him,” police said.

The dog caused lacerations to the man’s left arm and left leg, police said, and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Police said no other injuries were reported.

During the attack, police said, the man was “fearing for his life” and shot the unleashed dog once. The dog died from the gunshot.

The man is a licensed gun owner, police said.

The police’s investigation is ongoing.