NEIGHBOURS of a man who was brutally stabbed to death say the incident may have been linked to a dog attack in the area.

Police have launched a murder investigation after Michael Freshwater, 49, was discovered in a flat on Westridge Road, Southampton.

Nearby residents told the Daily Echo that there was “blood on the walls” after the attack on Friday afternoon and that there have been previous violent incidents.

And others say some of the residents from the property are believed to have been involved in an incident where a woman was allegedly attacked by a dog at least a week ago.

A 26-year-old man and a 35-year-old man, both from Southampton, were arrested on suspicion of murder.

The 35-year-old was later released without charge and police have been given more time to question the 26-year-old.

A 45-year-old man, who gave his name only as Jasper and has friends living in the house, said: “One of the women there has two dogs and one of the dogs bit another woman on the lip. Then this has happened."

Officers have been carrying out forensic searches of the area and have searched dustbins, undergrowth and drains.

A 40-year-old man who lives nearby said that police are often called there and said: "it's always kicking off there.

“This time I heard someone got stabbed.

“Someone told me that there was blood everywhere and blood on the walls."

Officers believe there had been a “dispute” at the property earlier on Friday before they were eventually called at 4.15pm to discover a man’s body.

Local resident Dave Smith, 29, who was alerted at 4.40pm on Friday when a friend came to visit him. He said: "She said someone had been stabbed.

"I heard someone got attacked by a dog last week. Someone let the dog loose and the woman wasn’t very happy.

"There's always shouting in that house and they are often leaving the door open. It's terrible because this is a nice and a safe area to live."

Another neighbour, who did not want to give his name, said he had witnessed the aftermath of an incident outside the house in involving two dogs.

He told the Daily Echo: “I didn’t know the people who lived in there.

"But once there was an incident where two dogs were fighting and a dog jumped up and bit someone pulling them apart.”

Police wearing blue disposable gloves and holding grey sticks were last night searching dustbins and undergrowth of neighbouring properties.

Forensics officers in blue gloves and white overalls were also seen going into the house while colleagues conducting door to door enquiries.

A post mortem was due to take place yesterday to determine how the as-yet-unidentified man died.

The road was immediately sealed off by police after the body was found and officers say there may have been an argument before the incident happened.

The house features five self-contained rooms and three men and a woman are believed to have been living there.

The occupants have been evacuated while forensic officers comb the building.

Patrols are being stepped up to try and allay residents’ concerns and it is believed to be an isolated incident.

People living in the area revealed their shock after police were called to the scene at about 4.15pm on Friday afternoon.

Detectives are now appealing for information and are asking any residents to come forward if they saw anything suspicious.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Heelan said: “We understand that news of this incident will have caused concern among residents in the area, so our neighbourhood officers will be carrying out reassurance patrols throughout the weekend.

“The body was found in a multi-occupancy property and today our forensic officers are carrying out extensive searches there.

“To allow this to happen we have moved all the residents from the property and put them up in temporary accommodation.

“We are also anticipating that the scene will be cordoned off for some time yet, so we would like to thank residents for their patience as we continue our investigations.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting Operation Windless or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.