An 84-year-old man who suffered severe injuries following a violent attack by an XL bully dog in Warrington sadly passed away more than a month after the incident.
Attack Took Place in February
The distressing incident occurred on 24 February when the elderly victim was walking home. According to Cheshire Police, the man sustained critical injuries during the attack and was taken to hospital for treatment. Despite receiving ongoing medical care, he tragically died in the hospital on Sunday.
The victim’s family is now receiving support from specially trained officers as they come to terms with the devastating loss.
Legal Proceedings Under Review
Following the attack, 30-year-old Sean Garner, from Liverpool, was charged with multiple offences. These include:
- Being the owner of a dangerously out of control dog that caused serious injury
- Possession of a fighting dog
With the victim’s death now confirmed, the Crown Prosecution Service is assessing whether the current charges should be upgraded or amended in light of the new developments.
Police Statement
Detective Inspector Simon Mills confirmed that the cause of death was directly linked to the injuries sustained during the attack.
He said, “To endure such pain and anguish at the hands of an animal is unimaginable. And I cannot begin to comprehend the distress that his family are currently suffering following such a horrific incident.”
Dog Shot by Armed Officers
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, armed police officers were deployed to the scene to ensure public safety. Due to the aggressive behaviour of the XL bully dog and the risk it continued to pose, officers were left with no choice but to use lethal force.
The dog was described as dangerously out of control and posed an imminent threat not only to the victim but potentially to others in the area. After assessing the situation and confirming there were no safe alternatives to restrain the animal, the decision was made to shoot and kill the dog on-site.
This action, while distressing, was carried out in accordance with police protocols for handling dangerous animals in life-threatening situations.
Authorities have emphasised that the safety of the public remains the highest priority in such scenarios, and the decision to destroy the animal was made to prevent any further harm.
The shooting of the dog also forms part of the wider investigation, with evidence being reviewed as part of the legal proceedings against the owner.
Ongoing Concerns Over XL Bully Dogs
This tragic case adds to the growing number of serious incidents involving XL bully dogs across the UK, sparking intense public debate over the breed’s ownership and regulation.
While the government has introduced measures to restrict the breed, calls for stricter legislation continue to mount. It also raises wider concerns about responsible dog ownership, with many questioning the suitability of certain breeds in domestic environments.
In fact, concerns about aggressive or unpredictable behaviour are not limited to XL bullies—some have even argued that smaller breeds can be problematic too. A recent article on why dachshunds are considered one of the worst dog breeds explores this issue from a different perspective.
