In connection with the incident, 30-year-old Sean Garner from Liverpool has been charged with owning a dangerously out-of-control dog, causing serious injury, and possessing a fighting dog. The XL bully dog was shot and killed by armed officers after the attack.

An escaped XL Bully was shot dead after it mauled and killed a pensioner in Warrington a year after the breed was banned. The 84-year-old died yesterday after he was attacked by the banned breed in Warrington last month.

Ownership of American bully XL dogs is restricted under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Since 31 December 2023, it has been illegal to sell, give away, abandon or breed from an XL bully. Since 1 February 2024, it has been a criminal offence to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate.