The family of 84-year-old John McColl, who died after being mauled by an XL bully have paid tribute to their beloved grandfather.
McColl succumbed to his injuries on Sunday - more than a month after the attack on February 24.
The pensioner had been walking home along Bardsley Avenue when he was pounced upon by the animal, which dragged him into a garden and savaged him.
Despite the best efforts of hospital medics, McColl died at 1.40pm on March 30.
Armed police were later forced to fire 19 shots to kill the beast, believed to have been an "unregistered XL bully", and another suspected XL bully at the same property.
A third smaller dog at the property was also seized by authorities.
And the 84-year-old's heartbroken family have now paid tribute to their beloved relative in a statement.
They said: "As a family, we are absolutely devastated with what has happened to John... He fought hard for the last five weeks but he decided he could not fight any more.
"Our dad, grandad and great-grandad will always be loved by us all and sadly missed by each and every one of us."
The family also thanked the emergency services and local residents who came to his aid, as well as hospital staff.
Following the incident, a 30-year-old man from Warrington was charged with one count of being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing serious injury.
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He also faces two counts of possessing an XL bully dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
The Crown Prosecution Service has been informed of McColl's death and will now determine if there are any changes to the charges.
A 29-year-old woman arrested in connection with the attack has been bailed until May 14.
Detective Inspector Simon Mills of Cheshire Police's Major Investigation Team also sent his condolences to the victim's family.
"This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the family of the victim at this difficult time," he said.
"To endure such pain and anguish at the hands of an animal is unimaginable."
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He added that specialist officers are providing support to the family during this "truly awful time".
The officer noted that, despite McColl fighting "so hard", his injuries proved too severe.
It has been an offence to own an XL bully dog in England and Wales without a valid certificate of exemption since last February.
The powerfully-built animals must be muzzled and kept on a lead in public under regulations introduced last February.
Dog attacks have risen by a fifth in one year, with police recording more than 80 incidents every single day.
The last year on record saw 30,539 offences of a dog injuring a person or guide dog - up from 25,291 in 2022.
Find Out More...
McColl succumbed to his injuries on Sunday - more than a month after the attack on February 24.
The pensioner had been walking home along Bardsley Avenue when he was pounced upon by the animal, which dragged him into a garden and savaged him.
Despite the best efforts of hospital medics, McColl died at 1.40pm on March 30.
Armed police were later forced to fire 19 shots to kill the beast, believed to have been an "unregistered XL bully", and another suspected XL bully at the same property.
A third smaller dog at the property was also seized by authorities.
And the 84-year-old's heartbroken family have now paid tribute to their beloved relative in a statement.
They said: "As a family, we are absolutely devastated with what has happened to John... He fought hard for the last five weeks but he decided he could not fight any more.
"Our dad, grandad and great-grandad will always be loved by us all and sadly missed by each and every one of us."
The family also thanked the emergency services and local residents who came to his aid, as well as hospital staff.
Following the incident, a 30-year-old man from Warrington was charged with one count of being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing serious injury.
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- XL bully savagely mauled girl, just 7, as she posted a letter before dad 'lay on dog' to save her
- Man attempted to stab neighbour with 'Devil-type knife' in heated row over escaped XL bully
- Dog owners left distressed after police seize pets wrongly thinking they are XL bully dogs
He also faces two counts of possessing an XL bully dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
The Crown Prosecution Service has been informed of McColl's death and will now determine if there are any changes to the charges.
A 29-year-old woman arrested in connection with the attack has been bailed until May 14.
Detective Inspector Simon Mills of Cheshire Police's Major Investigation Team also sent his condolences to the victim's family.
"This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the family of the victim at this difficult time," he said.
"To endure such pain and anguish at the hands of an animal is unimaginable."
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He added that specialist officers are providing support to the family during this "truly awful time".
The officer noted that, despite McColl fighting "so hard", his injuries proved too severe.
It has been an offence to own an XL bully dog in England and Wales without a valid certificate of exemption since last February.
The powerfully-built animals must be muzzled and kept on a lead in public under regulations introduced last February.
Dog attacks have risen by a fifth in one year, with police recording more than 80 incidents every single day.
The last year on record saw 30,539 offences of a dog injuring a person or guide dog - up from 25,291 in 2022.
Find Out More...