THIS is the terrifying moment a man’s arm was left almost torn from his body after his “hostile” pet zebra savagely attacked him.

Ronald Clifton nearly lost his arm after his “very large and aggressive” pet Zebra suddenly became violent – before cops shot it dead.

Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office

Ronal Clifton was left bleeding on the ground after the horrific zebra attack[/caption]

Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office

The beastly male zebra was acting aggressive towards the cops[/caption]

Pickaway County Sheriff’s

Bodycam footage showed the moment an officer had to kill the vicious zebra[/caption]

The horrifying incident took place in Circleville, Ohio, on March 12.

When the 72-year-old called 911 during the gruesome attack, the phone operator was left in disbelief that he was being mauled by a zebra.

According to Fox News, Clifton said: “I think he tore my arm off… send a chopper”.

When officers from Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene, they found the bloke collapsed on the ground.

The cops tried to separate the injured man from the herd of zebras by parking their police car between them.

But they were left startled when one large and “very hostile” male zebra charged toward the driver’s side door.

The police eventually managed to get the beast to back off by using their blaring sirens and horns.

They then found Clifton with his arm nearly torn from his body.

Blood could be seen pouring from the horrific bite wound below his elbow.

A tourniquet was applied just below his shoulder and he was walked to the ambulance with the help of another officer.

The third cop was armed with a 12-gauge shotgun and kept an eye on the deadly animal, fearing it may strike again.

It is reported that one of the officers told him to put down the zebra if necessary and Clifton’s family urged the cops not to turn their backs on the ferocious beast.

Moments later, body camera footage shows the zebra walking aggressively towards the officer.

After shouting at it three times to scare it away, and the zebra not listening, the cop had no choice but to fire the shotgun at its head.

Police reports stated that with the zebra being the only male in the field, he was becoming protective of the females around him.

Clifton was then taken to Grant Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, to be treated for his severe injuries.

He is now reportedly in a stable condition and will not lose his arm.

This comes after a woman was killed instantly after being attacked by a tiger that mauled her neck as she worked at a safari park.

And one zoo keeper was dragged into a tank of water by an alligator while horrified children were forced to stand by and watch.

She was luckily saved by two heroic visitors.

Another zoo worker was attacked by a Siberian tiger in front of shocked visitors in Russia.

The big cat pounced on the woman as she brought food to the animal – but her life was saved by onlookers who shouted and threw things at the beast.

Pickaway County Sheriff’s

Clifton was taken to hospital and treated for his severe injuries[/caption]

Pickaway County Sheriff’s

The violent animal brutally attacked his owner on Sunday[/caption]