Family of XL bully victim 'absolutely devastated'

The family of an 84-year-old man who died from his injuries five weeks after being attacked by an XL bully dog have described being left "absolutely devastated".

John McColl was walking home when he was chased into a front garden in Bardsley Avenue in the Dallam area of Warrington, Cheshire, by the dog on 24 February.

Mr McColl "fought hard" but died in hospital on Sunday 30 March surrounded by his family, they said.

His relatives said he was a father, grandfather and great grandfather and would "always be loved by us all and sadly missed".

• My daughter was bitten by an XL bully. I met an owner to ask why they'd have one

They continued: "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."

The animal was shot and killed by armed officers after the attack.

Sean Garner, 30, from Liverpool, has been charged with owning a dangerously out of control dog, causing serious injury and possession of a fighting dog.

The Crown Prosecution Service is now considering any changes to the charges after Mr McColl's death, Cheshire Police have said.

Det Insp Simon Mills said Mr McColl had endured "unimaginable" pain.

"I cannot begin to comprehend the distress that his family are currently suffering following such an horrific incident," he added.

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