A Warrington man has been convicted following a fatal dog attack that resulted in the death of an 84-year-old local resident. Sean Garner, 31, was found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court on 31 March 2026 of being the owner of a dog that was dangerously out of control and caused injury.
The victim, John McColl, was attacked on 24 February 2025 while returning to his home in the Dallam area of Warrington. Mr McColl, a retired steelworker, passed away in hospital on 30 March 2025, one month after the incident occurred on a driveway at Bardsley Avenue.
The investigation by Cheshire Constabulary revealed that Garner kept two XL Bully dogs, neither of which had the legally required exemption certificates. One of the dogs, named Toretto, weighed seven stone four pounds and had to be shot 10 times by armed police to end the attack. A second unregistered dog, named Malibu, was also destroyed by police at the property.
Following the attack, Garner fled the area but handed himself in to police at Runcorn two days later. He has now been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on 17 April 2026. The court has indicated that he faces a substantial prison sentence.
This case serves as a reminder of the rules surrounding the ownership of specific dog breeds. Since 1 February 2024, it has been a criminal offence in England and Wales to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate from the UK Government. To remain legal, owners must have public liability insurance, ensure their dog is microchipped, pay a fee of £92.40, and keep the animal muzzled and on a lead when in public spaces.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
