A man has been found guilty after his XL Bully dog savaged an 84-year-old pensioner to death in a horrific attack in Warrington, Cheshire. Sean Garner, 31, was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday of being the owner of a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control.
Fatal Encounter on a Driveway
The victim, John McColl, was on his way home from a pub on February 24 last year when he wandered onto the driveway of Garner's semi-detached home. CCTV footage captured Mr McColl getting off a bus and crossing the road before the attack, though it remains unclear why he entered the property.
The XL Bully, named Toretto and weighing seven stone and four pounds, was left on a patio area secured only by a gate with a latch. Prosecutors argued this was insufficient to contain the animal. During the trial, the court heard that the dog guarded Mr McColl "as if he were its prey" and savaged him brutally.
Neighbours' Desperate Efforts
Frantic neighbours attempted to intervene, using items such as a spirit level and a walking stick to try and drive the dog away from Mr McColl. Despite their efforts, the attack proved fatal, with Mr McColl succumbing to his injuries about a month later.
An examination of the dog revealed it had no food in its stomach and had begun to eat Mr McColl alive. The animal was eventually shot ten times by armed police to end the mauling.
Garner's Deception and Negligence
The court heard that Garner, his then-pregnant partner, and their two children had moved into the home just three weeks before the attack. Garner had lied to his landlord, claiming they owned only one French bulldog, when in fact they had two XL Bullies and a micro bully dog.
Garner, who has previous convictions for driving offences and drug possession with intent to supply, testified that he took steps to ensure his dogs were not dangerously out of control. He claimed Toretto was kept in a padlocked shed on the patio, but prosecutors dismissed this as "ludicrous" and "absurd."
Breed Awareness and Legal Breaches
Despite the XL Bully breed being banned in England and Wales since February 2024, Garner told the court he was unaware of the dogs' breed at the time of the attack. However, evidence showed he had previously advertised one of his XL Bullies, named Malibu, for breeding on Instagram.
Garner admitted he had not walked the dogs for about ten days, relying on the patio for exercise. In a message to his mother, he described Toretto as "missing a few nuts and bolts," yet maintained he could never have imagined such an attack occurring.
Verdict and Sentencing
Garner showed no reaction as the guilty verdict was returned, though family members wept in the public gallery. He had previously admitted two counts of possessing an XL Bully without an exemption certificate and is due to be sentenced on April 17.
Judge Brian Cummings KC told jurors they could be excused from jury service for ten years, describing the evidence as "some of the worst I have heard."
Police and Community Response
Detective Sergeant Emily Cole expressed deep sympathy for Mr McColl's family, stating, "What they witnessed as he suffered unimaginable injuries is beyond comprehension." She praised Mr McColl's "astonishing and deeply inspiring" fight for survival and hoped the verdict would serve as a reminder of the dangers of irresponsible dog ownership.
Since the ban, XL Bully owners must obtain an exemption certificate, which requires neutering, public liability insurance, microchipping, and a fee. Owners of dangerously out-of-control dogs face up to 14 years in prison, lifetime bans, and potential euthanasia for their pets.
