Murder-squad detectives were today investigating after a man was killed in a street brawl thought to have been caused by a row over a dog.

The fight, between two neighbours, broke out at about 3pm yesterday in Thurston Gardens in Allerton, Bradford.

Witnesses have told how children were coming out of nearby Ley Top School when the two men were arguing in the street.

A brawl broke out and calmed down but one of the men decided to pursue the argument which ended in a 27-year-old man being repeatedly punched, according to onlookers.

A post-mortem examination has revealed that the victim, who has not been named by police, died of haemorrhaging caused by blows to the head.

Sean O'Reilly, a neighbour and friend of the dead man, said he believed the dispute was over an incident a few weeks ago when the dead man's dog nipped the other man on the ankle.

He said he heard a scream yesterday as he worked on his car outside and looked over.

"I thought it was just a couple having an argument," he said.

"But then it came back and I walked out of my gate to the front.

"There were a couple of lads on the road at the bottom of the street and there was some discussion.

"Anyhow, a fight broke out - not much of a fight - and it got broken up.

"I thought it had stopped but one man followed the other up to his house.

"I told him to leave it but it carried on.

"He fell on to the car bonnet and I saw him slump as if he was unconscious - the man must have hit him about ten or 15 times in the face."

He said the victim, who was on crutches for a broken toe, was helped by an Asian man who tried to give first aid and called an ambulance.

Mr O'Reilly, 36, said everybody in the area had been shocked by what had happened.

"I cannot believe it," he said.

"Everybody has a fight at one time but it shouldn't turn out like this.

"When you find out about these things you don't believe them but when you see them with your own eyes.

"He was a happy go lucky lad but wasn't one for trouble, he didn't believe in fighting."

Police were today questioning a 24-year-old man in connection with the incident.