An 84-year-old man died following a dog attack in Warrington. The owner was found guilty of owning a dog dangerously out of control and will be sentenced next month.
A dog owner has been convicted following the fatal attack of 84-year-old John McColm in his driveway in Warrington last February. Sean Garner’s dog, a seven-stone four-pound XL Bully named 'Terreto,' carried out a relentless attack on the elderly victim. Despite attempts by neighbors to intervene using tools and walking sticks, the dog could not be pulled away. Cheshire Constabulary arrived on the scene and were forced to shoot the animal ten times to end the assault. A second XL Bully found inside the house, named 'Malibu,' was also put down.
A subsequent veterinary examination revealed the dog that attacked McColm had no food in its stomach. In the aftermath of the incident, Emily Cole of the Cheshire Constabulary addressed the severity of the case, stating, "Mr. McColm was an 84-year-old dad, granddad, and great-granddad. On the night of the incident, he was simply walking home." She clarified that contrary to rumors, the victim had not been intoxicated.
According to police, McColm had become distracted and entered the driveway of a property that was being rented by Garner. While the exact reason for the victim entering the driveway remains unknown, Cole emphasized that the dog was not securely contained. She noted, "This incident could have happened to anyone who might have entered that driveway that day, whether that be a postal worker, a delivery driver, or simply a child collecting a ball." Garner, who had previously been convicted of driving offenses and possessing drugs with intent to supply, denied the allegation that the dogs were dangerously out of control.
He claimed that the animals were secured in a shed on the patio with a padlock and gate latch. Prosecutors argued that his precautions were inadequate and that he was fully aware of the dog’s destructive and aggressive tendencies. Garner is currently being remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing on April 17, where he faces a substantial prison sentence. The tragedy has prompted broader concerns regarding the awareness and regulation of high-risk dog breeds, specifically those banned under 2024 legislation.
