A DOG ate three of his owner's toes as the diabetic man slept, most likely out of an instinct to remove diseased flesh, according to animal experts.

James Little, 61, called the emergency services in Oregon, US, to say his dog had eaten the body parts while he slept.

He told reporters he was "doing fine" after treatment and had put the animal, a Shiba Inu, up for adoption. Experts say dogs will sometimes try to remove diseased flesh after being attracted to a festering wound.