XL bully proprietor jailed after canine killed pensioner in ‘savage attack’ | EUROtoday

The proprietor of an XL bully, which killed a pensioner in a “savage attack”, has been jailed for 12 years.

John McColl, 84, was attacked by the canine, owned by Sean Garner, after the pensioner wandered onto the driveway of Garner’s dwelling in Warrington, Cheshire, in February final 12 months.

He suffered “catastrophic facial injuries” within the 45-minute assault and died from his accidents a couple of month later, Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday.

The animal, which was known as Toretto and weighed 7st 4lb, was shot 10 instances by armed police and a second canine present in the home was additionally shot.

An examination of the canine later discovered it had no meals in its abdomen, nevertheless it had begun to eat Mr McColl alive.

Addressing Garner in court docket, Mr McColl’s granddaughter Kelly Percival, 33, stated: “Your dog basically ate my grandad, but you and your family don’t care.”

Garner, 31, seemed down as Ms Percival learn an announcement by which she stated he had denied her grandfather a “dignified death”.

Mr McColl’s daughter, Joann Percival, 57, informed the defendant: “You robbed us of our dad, grandad, great-grandad, but you don’t care and it’s not OK.”

The defendant was discovered responsible after a trial of being the proprietor of a canine which precipitated harm whereas dangerously uncontrolled.

Jailing Garner, Judge Brian Cummings KC stated: “The suffering experienced by Mr McColl was quite unspeakable and really does not bear dwelling on.”

He stated the retired metal erector, who remained aware all through the assault, should have been in “absolute agony”.

The trial heard Mr McColl was on his method dwelling from the pub shortly after 6pm on February 24 2025, when he walked into the driveway of Garner’s dwelling, the place the canine had been left on a patio space, which the prosecution alleged was solely secured by a gate with a latch.

Neighbours described utilizing objects, together with a spirit degree and a strolling stick, to attempt to get the canine away from Mr McColl.

David Birrell, prosecuting, stated cops who attended the scene had suffered flashbacks and wanted counselling after witnessing the “savage” assault.

He stated: “The Crown allege a catalogue of failures by the defendant which caused the dog to be dangerously out of control and thereby caused the death of Mr McColl.”

The court docket heard Garner, his then-pregnant associate and two kids had moved into the semi-detached dwelling three weeks earlier than the incident and informed the owner they’d one French bulldog, regardless of proudly owning a micro bully and two XL bullies, a breed which was banned in 2024.

Garner claimed Toretto, who he had beforehand described as “missing a few nuts and bolts”, had been put in a small shed on the patio which he secured with a padlock.

His declare that Mr McColl should have unlocked the shed and opened it was described by the prosecution as “absurd”.

Judge Cummings stated: “If there ever was any remorse it is completely nullified by these offensive lies.”

He stated Garner had contested the “uncontestable” and informed him: “I cannot accept that you have shown any true remorse.”

Garner, who has earlier convictions for driving and medicines offences, pleaded responsible earlier than his trial to 2 counts of proudly owning an XL bully with out an exemption certificates.

Mr Birrell stated: “The defendant has convictions which reveal a history of reckless disregard for the law and for safety.

“At the time of this incident, despite operating a recovery business driving up and down the country, he was disqualified from driving.”

Lloyd Morgan, defending, stated: “Sean Garner does express his deepest sympathy to the family of Mr McColl for the loss, and the manner of the loss, of their beloved family member.”

He stated Garner was the first carer for his associate Lauren Lawler, who had been recognized with stage three Hodgkin lymphoma and, when she was in poor health, he cared for his or her kids.