XL Bully Dog 'Savage' Attack Kills Warrington Pensioner in Court Case
A court has heard harrowing details of an XL Bully dog that savaged an 84-year-old man "as if he were its prey," leading to the pensioner's death a month later. The incident occurred in Warrington, Cheshire, in February last year, with armed police forced to shoot the dog ten times to neutralise the threat.
Fatal Attack on John McColl
John McColl wandered onto the driveway of Sean Garner's property on Bardsley Avenue around 6pm on February 24, 2025. Prosecuting barrister David Birrell described how the dog, named Toretto, attacked Mr McColl and refused to let go, despite attempts by bystanders to intervene with weapons. "The dog guarded him as if he were its prey. It savaged him," Mr Birrell told Liverpool Crown Court.
Police officers called to the scene were unable to reach Mr McColl, prompting firearms officers to attend. They shot the dog nine times with a pistol and once with a shotgun. "That is how much ammunition was required to neutralise this large, powerful, savage dog," Mr Birrell stated. A post-mortem examination revealed the dog had no food in its stomach and had begun to eat Mr McColl alive.
Owner's Admissions and Denials
Sean Garner, 31, admits possessing the banned male XL Bully and a female of the same breed without an exemption certificate. However, he denies being the owner of a dog that caused injury while dangerously out of control. The prosecution alleges Garner was an "irresponsible" and "reckless" dog owner who kept Toretto on a patio secured only by a metal gate with a latch, contrary to his claim that it was kept securely in a tool shed.
Text messages presented in court showed Garner contacted family members and "made light of the situation" after the attack. He avoided police for two days before handing himself in on February 26. In one message, Garner described the dog as "missing a few nuts and bolts," indicating he knew it was dangerous. Expert evidence suggested the dog had not been fed for some time, contributing to its aggressive behaviour.
Police Response and Trial Details
Bodyworn footage from PC Chris Cunliffe, one of the first officers on the scene, was shown to the jury. Mr McColl could be heard shouting for help, with PC Cunliffe noting the dog's behaviour was "as if it were guarding its toy it had just ripped apart." Armed officers eventually shot the dog while colleagues used shields to pull Mr McColl to safety. A second dog, named Malibu, was also shot by police who "didn't take any chances."
The trial, expected to last between five and seven days, saw a jury sworn in on Monday but discharged shortly after due to a matter with "no reflection" on the jurors, according to Judge Brian Cummings KC. A new jury was sworn in on Tuesday morning. The case highlights ongoing concerns about dangerous dogs and owner accountability in the UK.
