AJ Bailey with his own dog Smudge

A MAN who spent six days in hospital after hurting his hand in a dog attack has called for more CCTV around the park near his home.

AJ Bailey, who lives in Earlsferry Way, says he was in Bingfield Park walking his Staffie dog Smudge when the incident happened.

“This Bullmastiff dog came bounding over, so Smudge thought ‘oh, he must be playful’,” said Mr Bailey.

“I go to the park every day and I’ve never seen it before. Then he had him [Smudge] by his neck.

“I had to intervene to get him off him. I’d do anything for him – Smudge has always been my soulmate.”

Mr Bailey said the Bullmastiff, a breed mostly known to be loyal and docile, was off the lead when it came running over.

He intervened, hurting his hand and now says he cannot move his right finger.

“It did bloody hurt, there was blood everywhere,” he said.

“I’m going to be scarred for life. I’m right-handed so I can’t write and as for rolling cigarettes, I’ve had to pay £10 for a pack of 20 and it’s been expensive.”

Mr Bailey, who enjoys writing poetry, added: “I don’t want the dog put down but it has got to have a muzzle on it. I just want to meet the owner to talk about it.”

He added: “There were two young lads who came over and said sorry but then they went off, although I don’t know if they’re the owners. Apparently it’s a lady that owns it.”

Mr Bailey said he reported the incident to police, adding: “I had a phone call saying someone would visit. They didn’t turn up though they said they would.

“The last phone call I had was from them saying they looked at the CCTV and it is fuzzy. Then they closed the case.

“It surprised me hearing that and it surprised me that’s the only CCTV around the whole place.”

Mr Bailey was admitted to the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead for a total of six days to have his hand seen to.

It was infected and the tendon in his right finger is damaged.

Mr Bailey, who appeared on the controversial Channel 5 series The Mega Council Estate Next Door, said he received help from the Blue Cross vet service in Victoria which gave Smudge four weeks’ worth of tablets.

“They were blinding,” he said. “They do a good job. I’d also like to say thanks to the hospital too. God bless the NHS – they were blinding.

Islington Council says on its website dog owners must be registered on its database once the pet is more than eight weeks old.

The council is also leading a £1.6million revamp of the Caledonian Road area with plans to improve Bingfield Park and its surroundings.