Guide Dog who survived XL Bully attack loving life as new star in Parliament

A Guide Dog who survived a brutal XL Bully attack has become the star of the new MPs' intake after the General Election.

Golden Retriever Jennie has made staff and politicians "doe-eyed" since her first appearance in the House of Commons chamber this week. She belongs to Lib Dem Steve Darling, who is registered blind.

Torbay MP Mr Darling, who overturned a 17,000 Tory majority last Thursday, said Jennie has been enjoying her time in Parliament. She won hearts across the UK after she was pictured lying on her side as MPs returned to the Commons.

Jennie has had a difficult path to her new-found fame, having been attacked by an XL Bully last year. Heroic Mr Darling and three others wrestled the dog off her after it went for her throat.

Mr Darling told The Mirror: “Jennie has been really enjoying her first few days in Parliament. Staff, security and MPs have been engaging positively with her, many of them very doe-eyed and she has been brilliant at taking tension out of new situations."

He said that Parliament is conveniently placed so Jennie can let off steam. Mr Darling said: “Having green spaces next to the estate has been a blessing because I can take Jennie for a run before we go into work and at the end of the day she can let off some steam with another run around.”

Describing the horrendous attack on Jennie, Mr Darling told the BBC in September last year: "Sadly, it just went straight for the throat of my guide dog Jennie and Jennie ended up being on the floor and screaming - something I never want to hear again in my life.

"I ended up wrestling with both dogs on the floor, [there was] no sign of the owner. We ended up having four people trying to get the dog off of Jennie.

"We then managed to get Jennie behind a gate while I just lay on the floor on top of this dog to hold it down, and it was really quite traumatic."

He went on to write to then-Home Secretary Suella Braverman, saying banning XL Bullies wasn't the answer. Instead he called for tougher action against irresponsible owners and breeders.

Mr Darling wrote: "Sadly, a month ago the guide dog partnership between Jennie and myself was attacked by a young Bully XL. This was from a breeder who allowed the dog to escape from his home. Jennie received a nasty injury to her neck and was treated by an out of hours veterinary practice.

"It took four of us to pull the dog off Jennie and luckily when grappling with the dogs, I only received light injuries. I am pleased to report that she is recovering well and back to her lovely self. "

He went on: "I am concerned that banning is not the answer, I support the RSPCA who state that we urgently need the UK Government to deal with owners whose dogs are dangerously out of control and pose a risk. We also need action against breeders who are using these dogs for profit."

Mr Darling urged the former Home Secretary: "The law shouldn't focus on certain types of dogs - but instead deal with aggression in all dogs, with the response tailored on a case by case basis."