The family of a man whose XL bully fatally attacked an elderly person engaged in verbal abuse towards his relatives on the social media platform Facebook while he was undergoing medical treatment. John McColl, 84, fell victim to the XL bully named Toretto in Warrington in February of the previous year, leading to a situation where authorities had to use lethal force to subdue the animal.
Following a guilty verdict from a jury on the charge of owning a dog that caused Mr. McColl’s death, Sean Garner, aged 31, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. The judge characterized the suffering endured by the elderly man as “indescribable” as he fought for five weeks before succumbing to his injuries.
The family of the victim faced a harrowing experience due to the severe injuries suffered by Mr. McColl, limiting their interactions with him to behind a protective screen. Mr. McColl’s daughter, Joann Percival, expressed the distress of witnessing her great-grandfather’s extensive injuries, preventing them from even seeing his face.
Despite undergoing a lengthy operation in a bid to save his life, Mr. McColl’s condition remained critical, with limited communication abilities. His granddaughter, Kelly Percival, even defied medical advice to catch a glimpse of his face, reporting a shocking transformation due to the dog’s vicious attack, which left her profoundly disturbed.
Moreover, during the trial, it was revealed that Garner’s family and friends resorted to social media to spread misleading information and shift blame onto the victim, Mr. McColl. The victim’s family highlighted the distress caused by the false narratives and abusive comments directed towards them on Facebook during their time of crisis.
Cheshire Police’s Detective Inspector Simon Mills also emphasized the traumatic impact of the incident on various individuals involved, with some requiring counseling due to the severity of Mr. McColl’s injuries. Additionally, he commended the resilience displayed by Mr. McColl’s family amidst the challenging circumstances they faced.
In another development, Garner’s partner, Lauren Lawler, expressed her distress on Facebook, attributing the tragedy to the victim’s actions and lamenting the loss of her dogs. Evidence presented during the trial revealed attempts by Garner’s family members to manipulate the situation by advising him to lie about the events surrounding the attack.
The sentencing judge, Brian Cummings KC, denounced Garner’s lack of remorse and deceitful behavior throughout the legal proceedings, highlighting his failure to take responsibility for the tragic consequences of his actions. The judge’s remarks emphasized the foreseeable danger posed by Garner’s negligent handling of the aggressive dog, leading to the fatal outcome.
Garner, who also faced charges related to owning a fighting dog, received his sentence with minimal reaction, while his supporters in the courtroom expressed solidarity with him. The court proceedings shed light on the gravity of the situation and the need for accountability in cases involving dangerous animals and their owners.