‘I was terrified, I cried my eyes out’ says Jack Fincham as he breaks silence on trolling after dangerous dog conviction

LOVE Island star Jack Fincham has today revealed for the first time how he received terrifying death threats over his Cane Corso dog that left him feeling “abused”; and “terrified”;.

In an exclusive interview, the reality TV star, who won an appeal against a prison sentence for two dangerous dog offences on Friday, has spoken out saying: “There were people wanting both me and him dead.

“I was terrified at times, it wouldn't stop. I was told I was scum.”;

Today Jack reveals how Elvis, five, is back home with him and girlfriend Chloe Brockett but says he nearly reached breaking point after his pet was seized.

The dog bit a runner in 2022 and then “mauled”; a woman last year. Elvis was seized and Jack admitted being in charge of a dangerously out-of-of control dog at Southend Magistrates.

He was sentenced to jail because the dog offence triggered a suspended sentence for drug driving.

He appealed and last week won with the judge saying the original sentence had never been “just in the circumstances”;.

Yesterday – after eight months in police kennels – Elvis returned to his home in Essex.

Jack says: “He is, he’s a big softie. I feel like a kid on Christmas morning, I’ve got my best friend back.

I’ve been told I am scum, the worst person in the world

Jack Fincham

“He needed a good wash, his fur isn’t quite as shiny but apart from that he is fine.

“The man who dropped him off said everyone at the kennels had fallen in love with him and came to say goodbye.

“I can’t thank the police and the kennels enough for the way they’ve treated him. I was worried his temperament would change but he’s just Elvis again.

“Sitting next to me, loving and lovely. It feels amazing to have him here.”;

But he fights back emotion discussing the eight months apart.

Jack, 33, says: “I have had so much abuse. But what has really hurt is the abuse that my dog has got. The guilt I have felt for what has happened is horrendous. I do only have myself to blame.

“The judge said on Friday that it’s never the fault of the dog, it's always the owner's fault and that is so true.

“Elvis was outside our home on our drive during both incidents, he was protecting his territory. It’s my fault what happened to him. I will never let that happen again.

“The first time, with the runner. I said, ‘Sorry,’ he said, ‘OK’ and that was that.

“The second time he actually didn’t touch the woman and the police came round and said it was all ok. Nobody was mauled. Elvis came back as soon as I called him.

“The police were ok. But then I think they went away, looked at my record, realised who I was and everything changed.

“If I hadn’t been Jack Fincham off Love Island I don’t think my dog would even have been reported for what he did.”;

Within hours of Elvis being seized the tirade of online messages began.

He says: “One of the worst was from a lady at the Cane Corso Club of Great Britain saying I’d let the entire breed down and I was a disgrace. I was devastated, it was quite nasty saying, ‘You’ve cocked things up for the Cane Corso. Just what we needed’.

“I hated thinking I’d done that. So I spoke to her and explained that I was a good owner who loved Elvis.”

It is unsurprising that Jack – down to earth and straight talking – charmed her after explaining himself.

Now he says: “We chat regularly, and she has even invited me to a dog show.

“But other people won’t listen to me. Some want me dead or behind bars, and said my dog should be put down, that he’s a nasty, vicious horrible dog. It’s ridiculous, his best friend is a sausage dog.

“I’ve been told I am scum, the worst person in the world.

“I get really upset.There were messages every single day from faceless social media accounts.”;

Jack, who won Love Island in 2018 with ex partner Dani Dyer, says the past eight months have been a “living hell”; but he has been supported throughout by partner Chloe, 24.

He says: “Attacking me for Love Island, for taking drugs, for my boxing ability, for the way I look, comes with the territory. You can’t be everyone’s cup of tea.

“But dogs are my passion so scrutinising me as a dog owner is the worst. It has been horrific, I’ve cried my eyes out.

“I would not have been able to live with myself if he’d not come home, knowing it was my fault.”;

In January, presiding Southend Magistrate Anne Wade activated Jack's driving jail sentence and jailed him. He instantly appealed which meant he didn’t go to prison.

When he went to Basildon Crown Court on Friday he faced being jailed if that appeal failed.

Three months was added to the unrelated suspended sentence imposed in 2023 after he was caught speeding in a BMW on a hard shoulder while on cocaine.

But it was ruled that Elvis could come home.

A contingent destruction order, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, is now in place. Elvis will be put to sleep if the court order – with specific conditions – is broken.

Jack says: “I will do all I can to keep him safe now. He will remain on a lead in public and I will muzzle him too. He will need to be muzzle trained, but, despite what people assume, I am very experienced, I know what I am doing

“I didn’t realise just how much losing that dog would hurt.

“He was always there – through rows, drugs, addictions. I would sit and chat to him, which is ridiculous to say out loud, but he wasn't just my dog, he was my best friend. We always slept together, I’ve missed him so much.

“For eight months it felt like my life was on hold without him.

“To know I let him down is horrific.”;

Even as a kid Jack says was dog-obsessed and hoped to become a vet.

He laughs: “I’d dress up as a Dalmatian and pretend to be a dog. The outfit was for a three-year-old but I was wearing it until I was about nine! I’ve had six rescue dogs.”;

Jack is now preparing for the future.

On his first day home Jack and Chloe made Elvis his favourite tea.

Jack bursts with pride as he says: “Raw beef mince. And we are getting him a new bed and new toys.

“When they took him away they took his favourite toy which was one of my old slippers, I’ve got some new ones now and am wearing them so they smell of me for him.”;

Jack is looking forward to the future. He is fighting fit again and recently returned to the boxing ring. He now hopes to return to TV roles.

Laughing he says: “I did panto once and Elvis would sit backstage. Everyone loved him.

“I would love to take him to work with me again.

“Me and my dog together. Just being able to say that again after so long apart makes me feel happier than I have in such a long time.”;