An 84-year-old man suffered devastating injuries and died a month after being attacked by a dog on a quiet residential street. John McColl’s life ended following the brutal encounter on Bardsley Avenue in Warrington, Cheshire, leaving a community reeling.
The attack occurred just after 6 pm when McColl inadvertently entered the driveway of a home. The dog, named Toretto, is owned by Sean Garner, 31, who is currently on trial. The prosecution alleges Garner allowed a dog to be dangerously out of control.
Garner testified that he had owned Toretto for approximately four and a half years, acquiring the dog when it was just a puppy. He insisted the dog’s temperament was consistently good, describing its behavior as “brilliant.”
He vehemently defended his decision to keep the dog around his family, stating he would never have done so if he perceived any aggression. Garner emphasized that his family and friends would have intervened if they had any concerns about the dog’s behavior.
According to Garner, Toretto interacted peacefully with other dogs and showed no signs of aggression towards people. He painted a picture of a well-adjusted animal, a beloved member of his household.
However, during cross-examination, a message Garner sent to his mother in March 2024 surfaced. In the message, he described Toretto as “missing a few nuts and bolts,” and likened the dog’s energy to being “100mph.”
Garner attempted to explain the message as a figure of speech, stating it simply meant the dog was excitable, particularly when anticipating treats or outings. He maintained he never intended to convey that Toretto was aggressive.
Initially, Garner claimed he didn’t believe either of his dogs were XL bullies, a breed now subject to restrictions. He now concedes they were, acknowledging the need for an exemption certificate to legally own them.
The court also learned of Garner’s previous online activity. He ran an Instagram page, “Little and Large Bullies,” where he advertised dogs for breeding purposes. He admitted to marketing one of his dogs, Malibu, specifically as an XL bully, citing easier sales as the motivation.
Garner clarified that he hadn’t bred Toretto with his own dogs, but had allowed other owners to use him as a stud. This practice generated income, adding another layer to his involvement with the breed.
The defendant revealed he is self-employed, running a car recovery business. His past employment included work at a dog fertility clinic, where he assisted with semen collection and analysis.
Garner and his family moved into the Dallam area of Warrington just three weeks before the attack. He admitted to being dishonest with his landlord, falsely stating he owned only a French bulldog instead of two XL bullies and a micro bully.
He justified the deception by explaining he was trying to improve his life and feared landlords might discriminate against tenants with certain dog breeds. Garner believed honesty could have prevented him from securing the property.
Currently residing in Belle Vale, Liverpool, Garner denies ownership of the dog that inflicted the injuries on John McColl. The case hinges on establishing his responsibility for the dog’s actions and whether he allowed it to be dangerously out of control.
