Man who died following 'XL Bully attack' named and pictured (2025)

'As a family, we are absolutely devastated'

A man who died following an 'XL Bully attack' in Cheshire has been named. The family of John McColl have paid tribute to him following his death, five weeks after the incident in Warrington.

Mr McColl, 84, was suffered serious injuries after being allegedly attacked by the animal on Bardsley Avenue in Warrington as he was walking home on Monday, February 24. He died on Sunday (March 30).

The first picture of Mr McColl has now been released as his family said the dad, grandad and great-grandad would be 'sadly missed.'

In a statement issued through Cheshire Police, they said: "As a family we are absolutely devastated with what has happened to John.

"He fought hard for the last five weeks but he decided he could not fight any more and passed away on Sunday 30 March at 1.40pm surrounded by family.

“Our dad, grandad and great grandad will always be loved by us all and sadly missed by each and every one of us.

“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.”

Following the incident, Sean Garner, 30, of Bardsley Avenue, Warrington was charged with one count of being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing serious injury and two counts of possession or custody of a dog to which section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 applied, namely an XL bully.

Yesterday (Monday), Cheshire Police said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has been informed of the victims’ death and will now determine if there are any changes to the charges."

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