Former Big Brother star Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace has revealed she received death threats after being left scarred for life in a brutal dog attack. The 47-year-old reality star, who rose to fame in 2006, was attacked two weeks ago at a friend's baby shower, requiring emergency hospital treatment.
Initially, Horgan-Wallace claimed the dog was an XL Bully, a breed banned in the UK under laws passed in December 2023 and February 2024. She has since apologised for the misidentification, stating she genuinely believed it was that breed but now knows otherwise. In a lengthy Instagram post, she said: "When I said it was an XL Bully, I genuinely believed it was an XL Bully. I don't know the difference, or I didn't know the difference – now I do. For that I can understand why people were upset and I genuinely do apologise. It was a bit extreme with the death threats and stuff, that was a bit much."
Social Media Backlash and Apology
Horgan-Wallace faced a torrent of abuse from social media users who accused her of trying to have the dog put down. She denied these claims, writing: "I’m trying to get the dog put down? Where? How do you know this for fact, who told you that? It’s lies. I never tried to do that." She also addressed rumours that she was drunk at the time, insisting she had only one alcoholic drink and that her own dogs have never bitten her when she drinks.
The star said she initially tried to protect the dog and its owner's anonymity, but the owner revealed herself publicly. She offered to pay for behavioural training for the dog, costing between £1,500 and £2,500, but the owner refused. Horgan-Wallace added: "I even offered to pay for the dog to go away while [the owner] has her baby to have behavioural lessons… But instead I’m getting abused." She also claimed she had rented a property to the owner, who has since stopped paying rent after the attack.
Dog Attack Details and Aftermath
Horgan-Wallace described the attack as sudden and unprovoked. In a previous social media post, she wrote: "I've been bitten by an XL Bully!!!!! You can see my f bone thank god fro my girl. Please please please understand how to raise and how these babies can switch. I'm in agony and scared for life now." She also shared a photo of herself with the dog moments before the attack, captioning it: "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."
UK laws on XL Bully dogs were introduced in December 2023, making it illegal to breed, sell, or abandon them in England and Wales. From February 2024, owning an unregistered XL Bully became illegal. Similar laws followed in Scotland in February 2024, while Northern Ireland required muzzling and leads in public from July 2024.
Impact and Reflection
Horgan-Wallace expressed relief that the attack did not involve a child, saying: "Sad I’m scarred for life. Glad it wasn’t a child and it was me… So conflicted." She urged dog owners to be responsible, stating: "Dogs are pact animals they need you to be their leader. It makes them feel safe to know you are in control. If you let them do mad behaviour they will eventually execute that."
The reality star continues to recover from her injuries and has called for an end to the abuse, while hoping the dog will not be euthanised but that the owner takes the incident seriously.
