Dunedin man Kevin Braid recovers in Dunstan Hospital from a dog attack while cycling the Alexandra to Clyde river track. His leg is still swollen and infected, and he is being monitored by hospital staff. Photo: Pam Jones

Ten days ago, Kevin Braid and his Labrador Bonnie were looking forward to a sunny Central summer, including cycling trips and family outings on the boat and with Bonnie's custom-made trailer.

But instead Mr Braid is ''laid up in bed'' with a serious injury after being bitten by someone else's dog.

He spent his second night in Dunstan Hospital yesterday after the attack, which happened while he was cycling the Alexandra to Clyde river track on December 27.

Mr Braid, who lives in Deborah Bay, Dunedin, and has a holiday home in Clyde, said he was in shock after the incident. He did not take the names of the people who owned the dog, which he said looked like a Rottweiler or a Rottweiler cross.

The people were ''very apologetic'' and Mr Braid asked them to keep their dog muzzled in future, initially not realising how serious his injury was.

Mr Braid's leg on the day of the attack. Photo: Supplied

A week later he was being monitored by hospital staff and on intravenous antibiotics. Severe swelling in his leg was subsiding slowly.

He received 15 stitches, has had multiple visits to his GP, plus been admitted to Dunstan Hospital twice because of a severe infection and still couldn't put weight on his injured leg.

''I feel so sorry for my family. It's completely spoilt our holiday.''

Mr Braid's wife, Yvonne, reported the attack to a Central Otago District Council dog ranger who had ''been just great'', supporting the family and trying to trace the dog's owner, Mr Braid said.

He said he was speaking out not to try to track down the dog's owner, but to raise awareness of the importance of keeping dogs under control.

''All I want is for that dog to be muzzled when it goes out, and for all dog owners to look after their dogs,'' Mr Braid said.

He also said doctors had not been able to tell him how long it would take to fully recover from his injuries, but he hoped to continue his summer holiday soon.

Council planning and environment executive manager Louise van der Voort said while efforts to find the dog and its owner had not been successful, they might try again to trace them. She urged the owner to contact the council.

pam.jones@odt.co.nz