Man dies from injuries weeks after XL bully attack in Warrington

Police say a man attacked by an XL bully dog in Warrington last month has died.

The attack happened as the 84-year-old was walking along Bardsley Avenue on 24 February.

It’s believed the XL bully had escaped from a nearby house. It was destroyed by armed officers, as was another dog inside the property.

Armed officers fired 19 shots – which police said all hit their targets,

Cheshire Police said the man died yesterday in hospital.

“The victim has fought so hard since the attack but sadly his injuries were too much,” said Detective Inspector Simon Mills.

“Despite the best efforts of the specialist medical teams who have supported him since the attack, he has now passed away.

“To endure such pain and anguish at the hands of an animal is unimaginable, and I cannot begin to comprehend the distress that his family are currently suffering following such an horrific incident.”

A 30-year-old man has been charged with being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing serious injury, as well as two counts under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Following the man’s death, the Crown Prosecution Service must now decide if the charges will be upgraded.

In February 2024 it became a criminal offence to own the XL bully breed in England and Wales without an exemption certificate.

Anyone owning one of the dogs must have had the animal neutered, microchipped, and kept muzzled and on a lead in public, among other restrictions.

The government move to ban the breed followed a series of attacks on people and other dogs.