84-year-old man dies after brutal XL bully dog attack
- An 84-year-old man was attacked by two XL bully dogs that escaped their owner's property.
- After being hospitalized for weeks, John McColl passed away from his injuries.
- The incident has intensified calls for stricter regulations on dangerous dog breeds.
In February 2025, John McColl, an 84-year-old man, was viciously attacked by two XL bully dogs while walking home in Warrington, Cheshire. The incident occurred on Bardsley Avenue when the dogs escaped from a nearby house and chased him into a front garden. Efforts to save him were extensive, but he succumbs to his injuries weeks later in a hospital surrounded by family. Following the attack, armed officers responded swiftly by shooting the attacking dogs 19 times to subdue them. A 30-year-old man, Sean Garner, was charged for owning a dangerously out of control dog and subsequent charges are under consideration due to McColl's death. This incident highlights growing concerns surrounding XL bully dogs, which became illegal to own in England and Wales without an exemption certificate after February 2024 due to a rise in attacks and public safety fears. The Crown Prosecution Service is evaluating the situation to determine if further charges will be applied, reflecting the serious nature of dog attacks on the community and the tragic outcome of this event. The family of John McColl expressed their devastation at their loss, underscoring the emotional impact of the incident on loved ones and the wider community.