A man was bitten by a police dog near Scottburgh when he attempted to flee a mob, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Wednesday.

Captain Vincent Pandarum said the man sustained a puncture to his thigh.

He lived with his two young female cousins and had allowed a 29-year-old relative into his Amandawe home on Tuesday night despite the girls being against it.

During the night, the relative allegedly sexually assaulted one of the girls.

Police were contacted but before they could arrive, the girl's aunt and some residents arrived and were angry at the cousin for allowing the man to stay. Pandarum said the mob chased after the cousin, who sought refuge in the police car when it arrived.

"Bruno, the patrol dog took a bite at the back of his left thigh. Fortunately, he got away with only a small tooth puncture wound as an inspector went to his rescue and called Bruno off," said Pandarum.

"The policemen had to then protect the suspect from the angry group who were intent on beating him up."

The man was placed in the front seat of the police car and taken to safety at the Scottburgh police station.

"There he was placed under arrest for being an accomplice in the sexual assault case."

The relative who allegedly committed the crime was known and is expected to be arrested shortly.