A dispute between neighbours escalated fatally when one tried to bulldoze the other’s home but was then blasted to death with a shotgun.

The deadly dispute took place in the hamlet of San Polo in Arezzo, Italy, on 5th January.

Sandro Mugnai and six of his family were having dinner when they heard a terrifying clanging noise.

They were stunned when they realised an excavator operated by furious neighbour Gezim Dodoli was parked outside the property.

The dipper arm repeatedly struck the home, damaging the window of the dining room and the roof.

Mugnai reportedly shouted at his neighbour to stop, but the attack went on.

Then – reported local media – he grabbed his shotgun and fired a warning shot, which was ignored.

Finally, he blasted four rounds into the excavator driver’s cabin, killing Dodoli instantly.

Mugnai – a blacksmith and wild boar hunter – is said to be well-liked in San Polo.

However, his once close relationship with Dodoli – a 59-year-old labourer from Albania – is said to have turned sour some time ago.

Frequent disagreements had taken place between the two men about everything from loud music to bad smells coming from the pipes to land boundaries.

Mugnai, 53, was arrested and remanded in custody in Arezzo.

He is accused of murder but is expected to plead self-defence.

Dodoli leaves behind a wife and two children, who live in Seveso.