00:00A dog owner has been convicted after his XL bully savaged an elderly man in a fatal attack.
00:0684-year-old John McCall was attacked by the dog owned by Sean Garner
00:10after he wandered into the driveway of his home in Warrington in February last year.
00:15Neighbours tried to intervene using tools and walking sticks,
00:18but the dog, weighing seven stone, four pounds, attacked relentlessly.
00:22Mr McCall was an 84-year-old dad, granddad and great-granddad.
00:27On the night of the incident, he was simply walking home.
00:32Contrary to previous rumours, he wasn't drunk.
00:35But he became distracted and entered the driveway of a property that was being rented by Mr Garner.
00:41We may never know precisely why he entered the driveway,
00:45but what is clear is that the dog was not securely contained.
00:49As a result, Toretto attacked and killed Mr McCall.
00:53Armed police were called and shot the dog, Toretto, ten times to stop the attack.
00:59A second XL bully, Malibu, was also put down after being found inside the house.
01:04An examination later revealed the dog had no food in its stomach.
01:08This incident could have happened to anyone who might have entered that driveway that day,
01:13whether that be a postal worker, a delivery driver, or simply a child collecting a ball.
01:19Sadly, it was Mr McCall who was that person.
01:22Garner, who had previously been convicted of driving offences and possessing drugs with intent to supply,
01:28denied leaving the dogs dangerously out of control.
01:31He claimed they were secured in a shed on a patio with a padlock and gate latch.
01:35Prosecutors argued, however, that his precautions were inadequate.
01:39Sean Garner knew that Toretto was an unregistered XL bully.
01:44He was well aware of the dog's destructive and aggressive tendencies.
01:47Yet, despite this, he chose to leave the dog outside his address in an insecure area.
01:54This case also raises wider concerns about awareness and regulations of high-risk dog breeds,
02:00particularly those banned under the 2024 legislation.
02:04Garner had admitted possessing XL bullies without the required exemption certificate.
02:08His actions that day resulted in the death of an innocent man.
02:12Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family of Mr McCall.
02:16What they witnessed as he suffered, the unimaginable injuries, was beyond comprehension.
02:22The strength and determination Mr McCall showed in fighting to survive those injuries
02:28was both astonishing and deeply inspiring.
02:32Garner was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on the 17th of April
02:36and faces a substantial prison sentence, Judge Brian Cummings' KC confirmed in the court.
02:42I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the members of the public,
02:47police officers and medical professionals who provided immediate assistance to Mr McCall.
02:53Their swift action and tireless efforts to save him deserve recognition.
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