A Garston man and his Labrador were left with “horrible scars” after a dog attacked them in Woodside Playing Fields.

They were walking in the area on October 11 at around 9.30pm when a large dog reportedly started being aggressive towards his pet, Oscar.

The dog, believed to be a Staffordshire Cross, began to bark and growl at them before breaking free from its harness. 

Watford Observer: The man attended hospital after the attack. The man attended hospital after the attack. (Image: Submitted)

The man, who wished to remain unnamed, attempted to get the attacking canine off his pet, then he felt a sharp pain in his hand which is when blood was seen. 

He said: “I just wanted to get the dog off my own, it was very frightening, my dog now has a healthy chunk out of its side.

“I ended up in hospital for a long time and had to have an injection to clean it and it looked very unsightly.”

Watford Observer: Oscar's wound after the attack.Oscar's wound after the attack. (Image: Submitted)

The victim said he flagged down a police officer near the entrance of the park, who helped clean his wounds and spoke to the person walking the other dog.

Watford Observer: The dog bit the man and his dog. The dog bit the man and his dog. (Image: Submitted)

He was sent to Watford General Hospital to have the wounds looked at but was sent to the Royal Free Hospital plastic surgery unit as there were concerns about tendon damage.

The man did not suffer any serious damage but will have “unsightly scars”.

He said he also could not use his hands properly, which were bandaged to prevent infection.

Watford Observer: He had to wear bandages to protect the injuries. He had to wear bandages to protect the injuries. (Image: Submitted)

The man added: “It was an unpleasant experience, and I am quite annoyed that it happened. It could have been my wife or a young person walking a dog.

“It was terrifying, and we had to take my dog to the vet just in case of serious injuries. He now has a very nasty scar on his back."

He has since had an outpatient appointment at Mount Vernon in Northwood, where he got the ability to type back after the bandages were removed and the scars were cleaned.

He has reported the information to the police but said he is yet to find out if anything will happen.

Herts Police have confirmed it is currently under investigation and are asking anyone with information to call 101 or report online, quoting the crime reference number 41/81301/23.