An 84-year-old man has been badly injured in a vicious dog attack involving a suspected XL Bully that escaped from a nearby property in Warrington, Cheshire.
The attack occurred at approximately 6:40 pm on Monday on Bardsley Avenue, when the pensioner was set upon by the large dog while walking past a garden.
Police Response and Firearms Used
Emergency services, including armed officers, responded to the distressing incident, and the dog was destroyed outside the property.
A second suspected XL Bully inside the house was also destroyed, and a third smaller dog was seized by officers.
Cheshire Constabulary confirmed that 19 shots were fired to bring the situation under control, with all rounds hitting their targets to ensure public safety.
The injured victim was rushed to Aintree Hospital in Liverpool, where his condition remains critical but stable.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
Following the attack, a 29-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of owning a dangerously out-of-control dog, which caused serious injury.
Detectives are also searching for a 40-year-old man in connection with the incident.
Chief Constable Condemns Dangerous Breed Ownership
Chief Constable Mark Roberts described the attack as horrific, stating that the elderly victim was simply walking down the street when he was brutally mauled.
“These dogs are like weapons; their physical attributes can make it like owning a loaded firearm with a questionable safety catch.
He emphasized the extreme danger posed by unregistered XL Bullies, adding:
“The sheer size and ferocity of these animals meant our firearms officers had to discharge 19 shots in order to bring the incident to a conclusion and ensure public safety.
Roberts confirmed that Cheshire Police have removed over 100 XL Bullies from the county in an effort to prevent further dangerous incidents.
Public Safety Warning
The attack comes amid increasing concerns about XL Bullies and other large, aggressive breeds, with new legal restrictions on ownership and breeding taking effect in recent months.
Authorities are urging dog owners to comply with regulations, while police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this deeply disturbing case.
Further updates are expected as the search for the second suspect continues.
