The victim of a vicious dog attack has said that the incident has left him scared to leave home and unable to work for six months.
The 43-year-old man, who wished not to be named, was attacked as he walked through Leagrave Park on January 4 at around 5.15pm.
After being approached by two large dogs the victim was bitten on his right leg, then after the attack was confronted by the owner who denied fault and attempted to headbutt the man.
The 43-year-old was then chased out of the park before returning home to call for an ambulance and for the police.
Due to infection the wound could not be operated on and was left the heal naturally.
The victim told Luton News: “I was told that as I fell in bushes after I was bitten I saved myself from further injury.
“As it was dark I could not tell what breeds they were but the dogs were big enough to knock me over.
“After the owner came over I was expecting him to ask if I was ok but he was vile and tried to headbutt then punch me.
“As he chased me down the path he said he would ‘smash my face in’ and after getting away from him I felt a pain like an electric shock on my leg and then ended up in a heap.”
The psychological impact of the incident has left the victim with panic attacks, anxiousness and an extended six month stay off work.
He added: “At times I cannot leave the house and I do not go into the park anymore as there are so many dogs around.
“In a way it was lucky that it happened to me as if the dogs had attacked a child they could have mauled its fingers.
“The owner has no idea what sort of impact this has had on me and he probably does not care either.
“He has got away with it as there is a lack of evidence.”
Police have been unable to find the dog owner, who was seen standing with a woman shortly before the attack.
The victim spoke out after two women in Liverpool were jailed for a year after a pensioner was savagely attacked and killed by their dog.
The 49-year-old called for stronger laws to prevent attacks, calling the Dangerous Dogs Act ‘weak’.
Currently statute allows for sentences of up to five years for those found to have let their dogs injure someone.
The victim said: “More must be done as it just your word against theirs at the moment.
“More care also needs to be taken to keep dogs on leads.”