An Osaka man has been arrested for a string of convenience store hold-ups that netted some 587,000 yen, which he used to feed his two dogs, five cats, five turtles, two snakes, and tropical fish.

Dubbed “The Dogman,” Takaharu Kawata would rob convenience stores at knifepoint while wearing an oversized black-and-white dog mask.

Mr Kawata, who is unemployed and living on welfare, was arrested in March while he was attempting to rob a convenience store. He is suspected of having robbed two stores previously.

Despite receiving monthly benefits of 120,000 yen ($1170), Mr Kawata said he did not have enough money to cover the basic necessities for him and his pets.

He was reportedly without the mask when he was arrested, saying that his beagle - which he apparently bought with stolen cash - had ripped it up.