'Canine Cupid' killed in Jordan

About 24 Jordanian women die every year in honour killings

A dog trained to carry messages between two Jordanian lovers has been stoned to death after his secret mission was discovered.

The three-year-old German Shepherd, named Big Joe, was carrying a marriage proposal when he was intercepted by the girl's brother last week.

Big Joe was a German Shepherd like these dogs

But family and friends have since intervened to persuade the girl's father to allow the couple to marry.

The "canine Cupid" was buried in the owner's back yard in the town of Zarqa, 27 kilometres (17 miles) north-east of the Jordanian capital Amman.

Human rights activists have often condemned Jordan - a conservative Muslim country - for persecuting women.

Each year the country has about 24 "honour killings" of women accused of sexual impropriety.

Shopping list

Big Joe had been taught by his owner to carry a grocery list to the nearby fruit and vegetable store, the official Petra news agency said.

The trips inspired the owner's son - named as Thamer - to train the dog to carry love letters to his sweetheart.

Activists have pressed for an end to "honour killings"

Big Joe would run to the girl's house, stand outside the building and bark until she came out to take the letters and read them before sending replies.

But the girl's brother had been spying on the couple.

The suitor had been turned down by the girl's family three years ago because he was still a student and had no standing in society.

After he snatched the marriage proposal from the dog, the brother became violent.

The dog apparently attacked the man, who then smashed his head with a stone before vowing to run to his sister's suitor to threaten him with the same fate.

Neighbours rallied around the couple and pressed the father to accept Thamer's proposal to his daughter, Petra said.

The marriage is expected to take place soon.