An 84-year-old man is fighting for his life after being viciously attacked by suspected XL bully dogs in Warrington.
The pensioner was walking along Bardsley Avenue when he was set upon by a dog which had escaped from a nearby address.
The incident occurred at around 6.40pm on Monday.
Armed police were called to the scene where they found the elderly man suffering from serious injuries. He was then rushed to Aintree Hospital where his condition is described as critical but stable.
The pensioner was walking along Bardsley Avenue when he was set upon by a dog
GOOGLE/GETTY
The dog, believed to be an XL bully, attacked the man in a garden - and when officers arrived, armed police killed the dog outside the address.
A second suspected XL bully was also killed inside the property.
Cheshire Police said firearms officers fired 19 shots at the dogs due to "the sheer size and ferocity of these animals".
A third smaller dog was also seized from the property.
A 29-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a dog dangerously out of control causing serious injury.
MORE ON XL BULLY DOGS:
A second suspected XL bully was also killed inside the property (file photo)
PA
She is currently being held in police custody assisting officers with their enquiries.
Police are still trying to locate a 40-year-old man in relation to the incident.
The force has been proactive in enforcing new regulations, having already removed more than 100 XL bullies from the streets of Cheshire.
Cheshire Constabulary's Chief Constable Mark Roberts said: "This was an innocent man who was simply walking in the street when he was horrifically attacked by a suspected unregistered XL bully."
'These dogs are like weapons,' Cheshire Constabulary's Chief Constable Mark Roberts said
GB NEWS"These dogs are like weapons; their physical attributes can make it like owning a loaded firearm with a questionable safety catch."
He added: "The sheer size and ferocity of these animals mean that our firearms officers had to discharge 19 shots into them - all of which hit their targets - in order bring the incident to a conclusion and ensure the safety of the public."
Roberts added: "While the victim is now receiving the treatment that he requires, there is no doubt that this incident will impact him for the rest of his life."
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Cheshire Police online or by calling 101, quoting IML 2034464.
