A 12-year-old was bitten on the face by a dog as he was walking through a park with a friend on Sunday.

Ashley Hill, of Arrowsmith Path, Chigwell was left bloodied by the attack in Fairlop Oak Recreation Ground, Forest Road, Hainault. He said the dog owner looked on without offering an apology.

Police picked up Ashley, who attends Mayfield School, Pedley Road, Goodmayes, and took him to King George Hospital, Barley Lane, Goodmayes, as he used his friend’s jacket to stem the blood flow.

The owner, who had three dogs – none on a lead – is yet to be found by police and Ashley cannot recall much detail about the animal which attacked him other than it being black.

Mum Sharon, 45, says she is thankful her son’s injuries were not more severe and said she is “thinking of other people” by revealing his ordeal.

She said: “He had gone out with his friend to walk his dogs, which were on a lead.

“This man had three dogs all without a lead. This could happen again to someone else if he is not caught.

“I just don’t get why the dog went for him. You’d think it would be interested in the dogs the boys were walking, which are only little things.

Shocked

“Ashley was fairly calm in A&E, but I think he was a bit shocked by it all.

“His jacket was covered in blood and he bled all day, even after the hospital.”

Despite the attack, Ashley’s main concern was not spoiling Mother’s Day and so called his elder brother to inform him what had happened to avoid worrying Sharon.

The family are animal lovers which makes the attack all the more unsettling, according to mother-of-three Sharon.

She added: “I kept Ashley off school on Monday to give his wounds a chance to heal a bit and stop any risk of infection. He has been told by police that if he sees the man again he is to call 999 straight away.”