Ethiopian man shackles girl with dogs for 18 years

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Hundreds of women have rallied to demand the death penalty for a man who shackled a girl with dogs for 18 years and abused her, the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) reported on Friday.

The unnamed suspect from Adama -- a town 100 km east of the capital Addis Ababa -- imprisoned the girl from the age of four, the agency said.

The man took custody of her when his mother, who had been caring for the girl, died. The victim's own mother suffered from mental illness.

"The suspect tortured, violated and brutally abused the girl for 18 years, shackling her with dogs in a secluded room inside his home," police told ENA.

"He starved the girl, only throwing her crumbs of bread once in a while, and she was forced to share the dogs' food to survive. She is in poor health."

The case echoes that of Austrian Josef Fritzl, whose trial for imprisoning his daughter in a basement for 24 years and fathering seven children with her captured world attention.

Fritzl was sentenced to life in prison in March.

Police say the girl -- who is now 22 -- is suffering from multiple wounds and is being treated in a hospital in the town.

Mayor of Adama, Tadelle Shigute, said the man will appear in court soon but did not give a date.

"It's hoped that he will receive a penalty which is befitting his crimes," said Tadelle.