A man has been convicted over a fatal XL bully attack on an 84-year-old pensioner.
Sean Garner, 31, had denied the charge of owning a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control, but was convicted following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
He had previously admitted to possessing the banned male dog and a female of the same breed without an exemption certificate.
John McColl, 84, died from his injuries a month after being attacked by an XL bully. Pic: Cheshire Police
John McColl died from his injuries a month after the attack by the dog in Warrington, Cheshire, on 24 February last year.
The XL bully, called Toretto, mauled the pensioner after he wandered on to the driveway of Garner’s home in Bardsley Avenue, the jury was told.
During the trial, the court heard the dog had “savaged” Mr McColl and “guarded him as if he were its prey“. The animal had to be shot 10 times by police who were called to the scene.
The XL bully dog, called Toretto, that attacked John McColl. Pic: Cheshire Police
A second XL bully, a female called Malibu, was shot when officers found her inside the house.
Garner, of Belle Vale, Liverpool, had told the court that he had taken steps to prevent the dogs from being dangerously out of control, and he would not have allowed the male dog near his children if he thought it was aggressive.
He also denied knowing the dogs’ breed, which was banned in 2024, although the court heard he had previously advertised Malibu for breeding as an XL bully on Instagram.
Sean Garner. Pic: Cheshire Police
He said he had not walked the dogs for about 10 days, but had allowed them onto the patio for exercise.
David Birrell, prosecuting, described Garner as a “selfish, reckless risk taker” who told “bare-faced lies”.
Garner had accused Mr McColl of releasing the XL bully from a padlocked shed, claims which Mr Birrell said were “ludicrous” and “absurd”.
Garner kept a second XL bully called Malibu, which was also shot by police. Pic: Cheshire Police
The prosecution said the dog had been left on a patio area, which was only secured by a gate with a latch.
Neighbours described using items including a spirit level and a walking stick to try to get the dog away from Mr McColl.
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The tool shed which Garner claimed the dog had been locked inside. Pic: Cheshire Police
The latch securing a gate at Garner’s home. Pic: Cheshire Police
The court heard Garner, his then-pregnant partner and two children had moved into the semi-detached home three weeks before the incident.
They had told the landlord they had one French bulldog, despite owning two XL bullies and a micro bully dog.
Garner, who has previous convictions for driving offences and possessing drugs with intent to supply, is due to be sentenced on 17 April.
He was remanded in custody and told by the judge he faced a “substantial prison sentence”.
