Police are treating the wounding of a man on the outskirts of north Belfast as attempted murder, it was confirmed today.
The victim, whose dog was killed in the attack, was fixing a flat tyre outside his house at Mayfield Dale in the Hightown Road area of Glengormley earlier today when he was approached by a car carrying four men.
The father of two suffered hand and leg injuries as he fled from his assailants. The incident happened a short distance from his home.
The family dog, a boxer, was shot dead in the attack.
The victim's partner was chased by one of the attackers carrying a hammer, but was uninjured.
The car was later found burned out at Brompton Park in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast.
A police spokeswoman confirmed detectives investigating the shooting were treating it as attempted murder.
At this stage they believe there is no reason to suggest that the attack was sectarian.
