Man jailed following XL bully attack in Warrington

The court heard that on Monday 24 February 2025, 84-year-old John McColl had been returning to his home on Mullen Close, Dallam.

After getting off the bus, CCTV footage showed Mr McColl crossing the road before entering Garner’s driveway on Bardsley Avenue.

It is unknown why he entered the driveway, however just moments later a member of the public heard Mr McColl screaming for help while being attacked by Toretto, an unregistered XL Bully owned by Garner.

Valiant efforts were made to help Mr McColl, with various objects used to try to stop the dog, however Toretto continued to attack him, and stood guard over Mr McColl preventing anyone from helping.

Emergency services were called to the scene at 6.38pm and on arrival police found Mr McColl lying in the driveway with serious facial injuries. However, due to Toretto remaining in close proximity, officers were unable to provide first aid.

Firearms officers were called to the scene, and a decision was taken to dispatch Toretto in order to provide lifesaving treatment to Mr McColl.

A second unregistered XL Bully was also located in Garners address. The dog, later identified as Malibu, was also dispatched by officers to ensure the safety of all those present. In total, 19 on-target shots were required to bring the horrific attack to a safe conclusion.

After securing the scene, paramedics provided lifesaving treatment to Mr McColl at the scene before he was transported to Aintree Hospital and was later moved to Whiston Hospital.

Garner was quickly identified as the owner of the dogs and was subsequently spoken to by officers over the phone and asked to return to his home.

Following the call, Garner met with his partner at a retail park in Warrington. After leaving in separate vehicles his partner returned to the address and he went on the run.

A police manhunt was launched and Garner subsequently handed himself in at Runcorn Police Station on Wednesday 26 February.

During questioning Garner claimed that Toretto had been locked inside a secure shed when he left the address. However, experts giving evidence at the trial stated that the dog had not been in the shed, but had instead been left in an insecure yard at the rear of the address.

He also claimed that both Toretto and Malibu were American Bully dogs and not XL Bully dogs, despite the fact that he himself had advertised the dogs on social media as XL Bully dogs.

Garner was later charged in relation to the attack.

Following the incident, a necropsy was conducted on Toretto. During the examination of the dog’s stomach, pieces of human flesh were discovered, including a human ear.

Mr McColl spent over a month in intensive care, where he underwent several operations but despite the best efforts of all those involved, he passed away on Sunday 30 March.

Following the sentencing Detective Inspector Simon Mills, of the Major Investigation Team at Cheshire Police, said:

“John was a kind and generous dad, grandad, and great grandad who was well liked by all those who knew him. The pain and anguish that his family have endured has been unimaginable.

“The injuries he sustained were absolutely horrific and left him unrecognisable to friends and family. Yet despite his injuries, he fought hard to survive as long as possible.

“Garner has shown absolutely no remorse for that happened that day, both he and his family have consistently lied in order to blame John.

“Despite all the claims that were made in court, and the subsequent claims online by Garner’s associates, there is absolutely no evidence that the dog was secured in the shed, or that John opened the gate or released the dog.

“All the evidence shows that the dog escaped from the insecure rear yard and attacked Mr McColl in the front garden.

“This could have been absolutely anyone, a postman, a delivery driver, or even a child collecting a ball.

“Unfortunately, it was John who entered the driveway that night.

“Thankfully, the jury saw through Garner’s lies and he has now been held accountable for his actions; I hope that the sentence handed to him today will provide John’s family with some closure.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who provided help and assistance to John, including the members of the public, officers and medical staff, all of whom fought hard to save him.”