Shocking photos show the injuries a man suffered to his face after he cycled into a dog lead that was stretched over a path in Blackheath.

WARNING - Graphic images in the photo gallery above.

Robert Perkins was cycling in Blackheath Common at around 8pm on Monday June 12 when he hit the “long, thin retractable dog leash”.

In a letter he said: “Travelling south on my bicycle I was completely unaware that the dog leash was stretching across the path until colliding with it.

“The friction of the moving cord cut through my clothing and the cord jumped to my face causing the injuries shown. The dog's owner was also injured by the leash.”

Mr Perkins said that owners have to keep their dogs under control at all times and he does not believe this is possible using an extended lead.

He sent the letter to Lewisham and Greenwich councils, the Mayor’s office and to ask them to highlight the “dangers”.

His letter continued: “Given the rising number of cyclists in London, and the London Mayor’s efforts to promote cycling as a safe, sustainable form of transport, I would appreciate if you could draw attention to the serious hazards of dog walkers using long retractable leashes near to paths across the borough’s green spaces.

“I am likely not the first cyclist that has been involved in such an incident and fear I will not be the last.

“While I realise that the borough’s green spaces must be shared by many users, my understanding is that dog owners are legally obliged to keep their dogs under control at all times in public, something which is effectively impossible with the use of these types of leads.”