CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio (AP) A zebra attacked its owner at an Ohio home and bit the mans arm before it was fatally shot by a sheriffs deputy, authorities said.

The attack occurred around 5:30 p.m. Sunday in Circleville.

Pickaway County Sheriffs deputies responded to the home and found the man in a fenced-in field, lying on the ground.

The large male zebra continued acting aggressively and charged at a deputys cruiser that had been positioned to keep the animal away from the victim, the sheriffs office said.

One deputy was able to briefly scare it away using their cruisers horn and sirens, but the zebra continued to charge at deputies and other first responders and eventually was shot and killed.

It was not clear what caused the zebras aggressive behavior, but officials said it may have been trying to protect some female zebras that were in the same field.

The zebras owner was hospitalized but is expected to recover. No other injuries to humans or animals were reported.

Zebras are not considered exotic animals under Ohio law.