XL bully owner guilty after dog fatally savaged man

A man whose XL bully savaged an 84-year-old man - who later died from his "horrific" injuries - has been found guilty of owning a dog that caused injury while dangerously out of control.

John McColl died a month after the attack by the dog, called Toretto, which had to be shot 10 times by police officers in Warrington, Cheshire, on 24 February 2025.

Sean Garner, now of Belle Vale in Liverpool, has been convicted following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

The 31-year-old previously admitted two counts of possessing an XL bully without an exemption certificate relating to Toretto and another XL bully dog, called Malibu, which was found inside the house. He is due to be sentenced on 17 April.

Garner was remanded into custody and told he faced a "substantial prison sentence".

McColl, whose face was severely wounded in the attack, spent a month in intensive care before he died from his injuries five weeks later, Det Insp Simon Mills, of Cheshire Police, said.

"He fought hard to survive as long as possible. I cannot begin to imagine the amount of pain and suffering he must have endured," he said.

Prosecutors said the 84-year-old had wandered on to Garner's driveway on Bardsley Avenue at about 18:00 GMT on the way to his home from the pub before he was attacked by the banned animal, which "would just not let go".

The court previously heard the dog, which weighed seven stone and four pounds, had hardly any food in its stomach at the time, and had guarded McColl "like he was prey" following the attack.

Garner told the jury he had owned Toretto for about four-and-a-half years, and had locked the dog in a shed in his backyard when he left home on the day of the attack.

He alleged the victim had let the dog out of the shed but, in his closing speech, prosecutor David Birrell described Garner as a "selfish, reckless risk taker who couldn't care less" and told "bare-faced lies".

The unregistered dog had been left on a patio area that was only secured by a gate with a latch, the prosecution said.

Birrell said Garner's claims that McColl had released the "big, savage dog" from the padlocked shed were "ludicrous" and "absurd".

Neighbours described using items including a spirit level and a walking stick to try and get the dog away from McColl.

Det Insp Mills said: "Many of those who attended described the attack as one of the most traumatising incidents that they have ever dealt with."

Garner showed no reaction as the verdict was returned but members of his family were in tears in the public gallery.

The court heard Garner had moved into his semi-detached home with his family three weeks before the incident and had told the landlord they only had one French bulldog, despite owning two XL bullies and a micro bully dog.

Garner, who has previous convictions for driving offences and possessing drugs with intent to supply, claimed he took steps to ensure Toretto and the second XL bully, a female called Malibu, which was also shot when police found the dog inside the house, were not dangerously out of control.

Judge Brian Cummings KC told jurors they could be excused from jury service for 10 years after hearing evidence that had been "some of the worst I have heard".

Speaking outside court, Det Sgt Emily Cole said: "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family of Mr McColl.

"What they witnessed as he suffered unimaginable injuries is beyond comprehension.

"It is our hope that today's verdict serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers posed when dogs are not responsibly owned and controlled, and that it helps prevent further tragedies of this nature in the future."

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