The girlfriend of an XL Bully breeder whose dog mauled an 84-year-old man to death has sparked outrage by blaming the victim and claiming her life has been 'ruined' after police shot both animals.
Lauren Lawler, partner of Sean Garner, who was found guilty of owning a dangerously out of control dog causing death, wrote a series of Facebook posts following the attack. She said her 'dogs would still be alive now' if John McColl 'didn't take it upon himself to go into my garden'.
The pensioner mistakenly entered the driveway of Garner's home on Bardsley Avenue in Warrington on 24 February last year while walking home from the pub. The banned breed Toretto launched at him as neighbours tried to fight off the dog with a brush, golf club and spirit level.
Armed police shot Toretto nine times with a pistol and another officer used a shotgun. A second XL Bully, Malibu, which did not attack Mr McColl, was also shot dead 'to not take any chances'. Lawler described the dogs as 'family pets' and criticised police and the government as 'vile corrupt people'.
In court, the jury heard Toretto had gone without food for up to 10 hours before the attack and had weeks without being walked. Garner had illegally cropped the dog's ears and failed to register it. Neighbour Victor Ferrier said: 'I could see the dog was chewing on his face. The man was howling and screaming.'
Reacting to Lawler's comments, one person said: 'It's disgusting that you're blaming that poor man... if your dogs were treated so well then that's proof that it's not the owner, it's the breed.' Another added: 'Have some respect for a man who's died.'
