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Monika Skolimowska/dpa
A man with a severed genital is puzzling the police in Herne.
The 66-year-old was found with life-threatening injuries in his house in the city in the Ruhr area on Tuesday night, the police announced on Thursday.
The police and public prosecutor's office are now hoping for information from witnesses.
Due to the unclear initial situation and the massive injuries, the police set up a murder squad.
Neighbors became concerned about the resident because of the persistent barking of a dog in the house and called the police.
The arriving emergency services then heard moaning noises from the house and gained access with the help of the fire department.
The 66-year-old was found inside in a life-threatening condition.
He was taken to a hospital.
Neither the missing body part nor an instrument of the crime have been recovered, a police spokesman said on Thursday.
Due to his state of health, the victim himself has not yet been able to provide any information that would help investigators understand what might have happened.
His condition has now stabilized, but he could not be interviewed.
kfr/dpa