Man jailed after XL bully dog fatally mauled elderly neighbour in Warrington

Sean Garner has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after his XL bully dog mauled 84-year-old John McColl to death in Warrington, Cheshire.

The attack occurred on 24 February 2025 and lasted approximately 45 minutes before police intervened.

McColl was attacked on the driveway of Garner's home on Bardsley Avenue.

Despite neighbours' efforts to intervene using items such as a spirit level and walking stick, the dog would not release its grip and stood guard over McColl.

Armed police arrived and shot the dog, named Toretto, ten times to stop the prolonged attack.

McColl suffered catastrophic injuries and remained conscious throughout the ordeal.

He spent a month in intensive care before dying five weeks after the incident.

The court heard that Garner had moved into the property three weeks prior to the attack with his then-pregnant partner and two children.

He had informed the landlord that he owned one French bulldog, but in fact possessed multiple dogs including two XL bullies, a breed banned in 2024.

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