Sean Garner, 31, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after his XL bully dog, Toretto, fatally attacked 84-year-old John McColl in Warrington, Cheshire, in February 2024. The dog, weighing 7st 4lb, inflicted catastrophic facial injuries on Mr McColl over a 45-minute period before being shot 10 times by armed police.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Mr McColl, a retired steel erector, wandered onto Garner's driveway after leaving a pub. He remained conscious throughout the attack, which Judge Brian Cummings KC described as causing 'unspeakable' suffering. The dog had no food in its stomach but had begun to eat Mr McColl alive.
Garner was found guilty of being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury. He had moved into the property three weeks earlier, telling the landlord he owned only one French bulldog, while actually possessing three banned XL bullies. The court heard he had previous convictions for driving and drugs offences.
Mr McColl's granddaughter, Kelly Percival, told the court: 'Your dog basically ate my grandad, but you and your family don't care.' Garner looked down during her statement. His defence lawyer said he expressed 'deepest sympathy' to the family.
Judge Cummings noted that Garner had shown no true remorse, contesting the 'uncontestable' and telling 'offensive lies' about the incident. Garner had claimed Mr McColl must have unlocked the shed where the dog was supposedly secured, which the prosecution described as 'absurd'.
