An 84-year-old pensioner has died after he was dragged into a garden and attacked by an escaped XL Bully.
The dog attacked the man while he was walking home on Bardsley Avenue, in Warrington, on February 24.
Armed police responded and shot the XL bully dead, as well as shooting second one 19 times. A third smaller dog was also seized.
The man was seriously injured and taken to Aintree Hospital, Liverpool, where he ‘fought hard’ but died yesterday, just over a month later.
Detective Inspector Simon Mills said today: ‘This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the family of the victim at this difficult time.
‘The victim has fought so hard since the attack but sadly his injuries were too much, and despite the best efforts of the specialist medical teams who have supported him since the attack, he has now passed away.
‘To endure such pain and anguish at the hands of an animal is unimaginable, and I cannot begin to comprehend the distress that his family are currently suffering following such an horrific incident.
‘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.’
The victim’s family are aware and they are being supported by specialist officers.
More Trending
A 30-year-old man from Warrington was charged over the attack, accused of one count of being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing serious injury, and two counts of possession or custody a dog to which section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 applied, namely an XL bully.
The Crown Prosecution Service has been informed of the pensioner’s death and will decide if there should be any changes to the charges.
XL Bullies were banned in 2023 after a spate of fatal dog attacks which often involved the breed, with 23 people dying in the three years leading up to the decision.
It is now a legal requirement for them to be kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public. It is also illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: Former Labour MP who punched a constituent appears on morning TV with alcohol tag
MORE: Lucy Letby’s lawyer says police making ‘huge mistake’ looking at hospital bosses
MORE: MP Mike Amesbury quits after being filmed beating up constituent
