The family of a man whose XL bully fatally attacked an elderly person resorted to mistreating his relatives on social media while he was hospitalized. John McColl, 84, was mauled by the XL bully named Toretto in Warrington last February. Police had to use lethal force to subdue the dog after it went out of control.
Sean Garner, 31, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for Mr. McColl’s death due to owning a dangerously aggressive dog. The judge described the victim’s agony as “indescribable” as he struggled for five weeks before succumbing to his injuries. His family could only see him through a screen due to the severity of his injuries.
During his hospitalization, Mr. McColl could barely communicate, occasionally raising his arms as if in defense and mentioning the word “dog.” Despite medical advice, his granddaughter braved seeing his disfigured face behind the surgical screen.
The family of the victim had to endure false accusations and abuse on social media from Garner’s acquaintances. They accused Mr. McColl of provoking the dog’s attack, a claim vehemently denied by his daughter. The family expressed frustration at the lack of remorse or apology from Garner and his supporters.
The responding officers, medical personnel, and witnesses were deeply affected by the severity of the injuries sustained by Mr. McColl. The Detective Inspector praised the victim’s family for their resilience and condemned the online harassment they faced.
Garner’s partner blamed the victim for the incident, claiming her dogs would still be alive if he hadn’t entered their property. During the trial, messages revealed Garner’s attempts to fabricate stories with the help of his family, leading to considerations of charges against them.
The judge criticized Garner for his lack of remorse and attempts to evade responsibility through lies. He emphasized Garner’s failure to take adequate precautions with the dangerous dog, which resulted in the tragic outcome. Garner’s sentencing included charges for owning a fighting dog in addition to his accountability for the fatal attack.