Prank leaves boy with cuts to his neck after riding his bicycle in a Ballarat park

A Melbourne boy has been left with deep cuts to his throat after being struck by rope strung up between trees in a popular Ballarat park while out on a ride on his BMX.

Devon Davies, 12, was riding at Mount Beckworth last Tuesday with his family when he was knocked off his bike by the thin piece of cord.

Devon was left with a long laceration across his throat by the prank and had to be put into a precautionary brace.

The boy's father Jason Davies said he was outraged by the fact strangers had played such a cruel and dangerous joke, The Courier reports.

"The doctor said if he’d been on a motorbike, there’s a good chance he wouldn’t be around now,” Mr Davies said.

"You hear stories about it growing up but you never think it would happen. It’s so messed up that people want to do that."

Parks Victoria District manager Tony English said the incident would be referred to police for further investigation.

"This kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable in terms of public safety," Mr English said.