Attack Details and Hospitalisation
Big Brother star Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace has been left scarred and scared for life after being savaged by an XL Bully dog. The 47-year-old reality star, who rose to fame on Big Brother in 2006, was rushed to hospital following the unprovoked attack over the weekend. In an Instagram Stories post, she shared a photo of herself looking distressed at the hospital, accompanied by a friend, writing: "I've been bitten by an XL Bully!!!!! You can see my f bone thank god fro my girl."
Dog Lover Turned Victim
Aisleyne, who describes herself as a dog lover, posted a photo of herself posing with the dog moments before the attack, with the animal close to her face. She wrote: "The few mins before he bit me... everyone knows I'm a dog mummy. I love dogs. This dog loved me... then in a split second for no reason he didn't." The attack left her with exposed bone and in agony. She urged other dog lovers to be cautious: "Please please please understand how to raise and how these babies can switch. I'm in agony and scared for life now."
Legal Context and Fatalities
XL Bully dogs are banned in the UK under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Since December 2023, it has been illegal to breed, sell, abandon, or give away XL Bullies in England and Wales, and unregistered ownership became illegal in February 2024. Similar laws apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Half of all fatal dog attacks in the UK between 2021 and 2023 involved XL Bullies. In 2024, a woman was mauled to death by her two registered XL Bullies in Hornchurch, east London, and David Daintree was killed by his pet XL Bully in Lancashire.
RSPCA Criticism and Euthanasia Figures
The RSPCA has criticised the breed-specific legislation, stating: "We've been campaigning for many years against the Dangerous Dogs Act and Breed Specific legislation, which bans dogs simply because of how they look, and we are deeply concerned about the addition of another dog to the list of banned breeds." The charity added that the ban "will not effectively protect the public" and called for more focus on prevention and early intervention. Following the law change, an estimated 800 XL Bullies were euthanised by police in England and Wales within the first year, with a further 400 voluntarily euthanised through a government compensation scheme.
Aisleyne's Message and Recovery
Aisleyne expressed relief that no children were injured in the attack, writing: "Thankful it wasn't my neck or face. Sad I'm scarred for life. Glad it wasn't a child & it was me... So conflicted... Dogs are pact animals they need u to be their leader." She added: "If u let them do mad behaviour they will eventually execute that... Dig dogs are so powerful. Protect your kids it ain't a joke." She later shared a photo of herself reunited with her own dog, appearing happy despite the ordeal.
