Armed police were forced to fire 19 shots to kill an XL bully that fatally attacked an 84-year-old, an inquest has heard.
Pensioner John McColl died from his wounds after being mauled by the animal on a residential street in Warrington, Cheshire, on February 24.
The great-grandfather was walking home at 6.40pm when the XL bully escaped from a nearby property and attacked him.
Police believe the hound, which is a banned breed, was unregistered.
Mr McColl fought for his life in hospital after suffering ‘serious and life-changing injuries’ but died more than a month later on March 30.
At the time of the attack, armed police dashed to the scene and destroyed the chocolate and tan-coloured XL bully named Torreto outside the house.
Police also shot a second suspected XL bully inside the property and seized a third smaller dog.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts confirmed 19 shots were needed to kill the canine and end the ordeal.
Mr McColl’s death was referred to the coroner on March 31.
Warrington Coroner’s Court heard that the inquest was opened on April 30 but immediately put on hold because criminal charges had been brought.
Sean Garner was charged with owning a dangerously out-of-control dog that caused death.
He is also charged with possession or custody of an XL bully dog, to which section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 applies, without an exemption certificate.
The inquest briefly resumed on Wednesday, where the suspension was extended for another five months with a review set for May 7, 2026.
Garner, 31, pleaded not guilty to the charges before the Liverpool Crown Court in April.
A trial date has been set down for March 23 next year by Judge Garret Byrne, who granted the defendant bail with conditions including not to go to Warrington ‘in any circumstances’.
The inquest went ahead due to the unnatural cause of Mr McColl’s death from traumatic injuries after a dog attack.
In an emotional tribute, Mr McColl’s family read a statement saying: ‘As a family, we are absolutely devastated by what has happened to John.
‘Our dad, granddad and great-granddad 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.’
Cheshire Police, Major Investigation Team’s DI Simon Mills, described the attack as a tragic incident.
‘Our thoughts are with the family… nobody should have to go through what they have experienced, and our specialist officers are providing them with the support they need at this truly awful time.’
