A man attacked by an XL bully dog in Cheshire last month has died.
It happened as the 84-year-old was walking along Bardsley Avenue in Warrington on 24 February.
Armed officers responded – firing 19 shots – and the dog was destroyed.
Police said the man died yesterday in hospital.
“The victim has fought so hard since the attack but sadly his injuries were too much,” said Detective Inspector Simon Mills.
“Despite the best efforts of the specialist medical teams who have supported him since the attack, he has now passed away.
“To endure such pain and anguish at the hands of an animal is unimaginable, and I cannot begin to comprehend the distress that his family are currently suffering following such an horrific incident.”
A 30-year-old man has been charged with being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing serious injury, as well as two counts under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Following the man’s death, the Crown Prosecution Service must now decide if the charges will be upgraded.
In February 2024 it became a criminal offence to own the XL bully breed in England and Wales without an exemption certificate.
Anyone owning one of the dogs must have had the animal neutered, microchipped, and kept muzzled and on a lead in public, among other restrictions.
The government move to ban the breed followed a series of attacks on people and other dogs.
