The family of an 84-year-old man who died from injuries sustained during an XL Bully attack has shared their heartbreak. John McColl was walking home when he was chased into a front garden on Bardsley Avenue in Warrington, Cheshire, by the dangerous dog on February 24.
After fighting for his life for five weeks, Mr. McColl passed away in the hospital on Sunday, March 30, surrounded by his loved ones.
“Our Dad Will Always Be Loved”
In an emotional statement, Mr. McColl’s family expressed their devastation: “He fought hard for the last five weeks, but he decided he could not fight anymore, and passed away on Sunday, 30 March at 1:40 pm surrounded by family.”
They added: “Our dad, grandad and great grandad will always be loved by us all and sadly missed by every one of us.”
Emergency Response and Community Support
The family thanked emergency services, first aid responders, and residents who came to John’s aid after the attack. They also expressed gratitude to the staff at Aintree and Whiston hospitals for their care and support during this difficult time.
Police confirmed the dog was shot and killed by armed officers following the attack.
Criminal Charges Under Review
Sean Garner, 30, from Liverpool, has been charged with owning a dangerously out-of-control dog, causing serious injury, and possession of a fighting dog.
Following Mr. McColl’s death, Cheshire Police have contacted the Crown Prosecution Service, which is now considering whether to modify the charges.
Police: “Unimaginable Pain”
Detective Inspector Simon Mills of Cheshire Police’s Major Investigation Team described the incident as “tragic” and said Mr. McColl had endured “unimaginable” pain.
“Nobody should have to go through what they have experienced, and our specialist officers are providing them with the support they need at this truly awful time,” DI Mills added.
XL Bully Ban in Effect
Since February 2023, owning an XL Bully dog in England and Wales without an exemption certificate has been a criminal offense. The breed was added to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 after 16 deaths from dog bites were recorded in 2023, more than double the fatalities from the previous year.
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared the XL Bully a danger to communities, adding it to the list of prohibited breeds alongside the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro.
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), approximately 60,000 exemption certificates were issued before February 1, and compensation for euthanasia was paid to owners in 326 cases.