Sean Garner has appeared in court charged with in connection with a fatal XL bully attack
14:27, 24 Apr 2025Updated 14:57, 24 Apr 2025
Sean Garner, 30 and of Dinaro Avenue in Belle Vale, appearing in court charged in connection with a fatal XL bully attack(Image: ALAN DEMPSEY)
A man has appeared in court after a much-loved grandad died following an XL bully dog attack. John McColl was attacked by the dog while walking home on Bardsley Avenue in Warrington at around 6.40pm on Monday, February 24.
The 84-year-old pensioner was taken to hospital after the attack but died of his injuries despite the efforts of medical staff at both Aintree University Hospital and Whiston Hospital on March 30. Sean Garner, formerly of Bardsley Avenue but now of Dinaro Avenue in Belle Vale appeared at Liverpool Crown Court this morning, Thursday, April 24 charged in connection with the incident.
Garner, 30, denied being the owner of an XL bully, called Torreto, which was dangerously out of control and injured Mr McColl who died as a result of his injuries.
Judge Garrett Byrne fixed a trial date for March 23 next year and the defendant was further remanded on bail with conditions including not to go to Warrington “in any circumstances”. Garner had four supporters in the public gallery during the brief hearing.
Police forensics at the scene of the dog attack on Bardsley Avenue in Warrington, leading to the death of 84-year-old John McColl
Armed police killed the dogs following the incident, with Cheshire Constabulary confirming firearms officers fired 19 shots at the dogs due to the “sheer size and ferocity of these animals”.
In a tribute, released by Cheshire Constabulary on behalf of Mr McColl’s family, they said: “As a family we are absolutely devastated with what has happened to John.
A picture of John McColl released by his family to the media(Image: Cheshire Police)
“He fought hard for the last five weeks but he decided he could not fight any more and passed away on Sunday, March 30 at 1.40pm surrounded by family. Our dad, grandad and great grandad will always be loved by us all and sadly missed by each and every one of us.
“We would like to thank the emergency services and first aid responders who helped John at the scene, along with the residents of Dallam who also came to his aide and the staff at Aintree and Whiston hospitals for all that they did for him and us as a family.”
Detective inspector Simon Mills previously added: “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.”