XL Bully Dog Shot Repeatedly After Fatal Mauling of Pensioner
An XL bully dog had to be shot ten times by armed police officers after being discovered "eating" an 84-year-old pensioner during a fatal attack, Liverpool Crown Court has heard. The tragic incident occurred in the Cheshire town of Warrington in February 2025, resulting in the death of John McColl one month later from his extensive injuries.
Owner Claims Dog Was Securely Contained
Sean Garner, the 31-year-old owner of the dog named Toretto, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of being the owner of a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control. Garner has previously admitted two counts of possessing an XL bully without the required exemption certificate, relating to both Toretto and a female dog called Malibu found inside his property.
During his testimony on Friday, Garner insisted he took every possible precaution to ensure his dog's safety. He claimed Toretto was securely locked inside a shed on the patio outside his home, with the property gate additionally secured by both a latch and chain. Garner stated that Mr. McColl wandered up the driveway on the evening of February 24th while returning from a pub visit.
"I could never imagine that a man who has been [down] the pub could go up my path on his way home and do what he has obviously done to let my dog out," Garner told the court. He described being "devastated" by the incident, adding: "It's horrible what's happened to him. I've got no words to describe what happened to him. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."
Prosecution Challenges Owner's Account
Prosecutor David Birrell presented a contrasting narrative, alleging the dog was not actually confined within the shed but was instead loose on the patio with only a latch on the gate preventing its escape. Birrell directly challenged Garner's characterization of events during cross-examination, stating: "Your dog wasn't guarding the premises, it was eating Mr. McColl."
Garner maintained his position, responding: "He was locked in the shed when I went out." The owner also disputed suggestions that the dog was hungry at the time of the attack, despite a post-incident examination revealing no dog food in Toretto's stomach. Garner argued: "Someone's come into his property who he doesn't know. It's natural behaviour of a dog."
Owner Admits to Avoiding Police Contact
The court heard additional details about Garner's actions following the attack. The 31-year-old, who operated a vehicle recovery business, admitted he did not return home when police contacted him about the incident because he was disqualified from driving and feared officers would see him operating a vehicle.
Garner acknowledged this decision made him a "coward," as it resulted in his pregnant partner returning to the house with their two children, leading to her subsequent arrest by police. He explained his reasoning: "I was waiting to find out what had happened."
XL bully dogs are currently banned in the United Kingdom, with ownership without an exemption certificate being illegal. The trial at Liverpool Crown Court continues as both prosecution and defense present their cases regarding the circumstances surrounding this tragic fatal attack.
