Australian politician 'attacked by kangaroo' during morning jog

Mr Rattenbury said he came off second best in the clash

In this photo provided by Australian Capital Territory Municipal Services Minister Shane Rattenbury, blood trickles down Rattenbury's leg after he was attacked by a kangaroo, in Canberra, Australia (AP)

An Australian politician has told of how he was attacked by a kangaroo during a morning jog through the capital Canberra.

Shane Rattenbury, a minister in the Australian Capital Territory, said he was running on a pavement in inner-suburban Ainslie when he saw the eastern grey kangaroo at the end of a hedge grazing on a front lawn.

Mr Rattenbury said he came off second best in the clash after crossing the kangaroo's path.

Rattenbury said the 4ft 7in (1.4-metre) kangaroo knocked him to the ground, the claws of its powerful hind legs drawing blood with two scratches to his left leg. His right leg was painfully bruised by the fall.

He says the roo "was last seen hopping off into the distance quite comfortably".