XL bully owner faces prison after his dog viciously mauled neighbour to death in horrific throat attack

Bell admitted to being the owner of a dog which caused injury leading to death while dangerously out of control in a public place.

The attack occurred on the evening of October 3, 2023, on Shiney Row, where Langley was walking his Patterdale puppy called Bow.

Langley, who weighed just eight stone, suffered fatal neck injuries in the attack and was rushed to hospital, where he died shortly after.

Witnesses reported that the man lay motionless on the ground before paramedics arrived.

His puppy managed to escape the attack and was later taken in by a neighbour.

Michael Kennedy, a resident of Shiney Row who knew Langley for over 20 years, described him as a "really nice lad" who was known locally as "Scouse".

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He said: "He was a lovable rogue you might say. He never did any harm, he was not a violent person, wasn't a hard man, he wasn't the type to go looking for trouble."

Kennedy added that due to Langley's thin build, "he would have no chance against a big dog."

The XL Bully, named Titan, was shot dead by armed police at the scene. Video footage showed an officer standing on ladders to reach over a fence to shoot the animal.

A second dog was also seized following the incident.

The attack occurred before the nationwide XL Bully ban came into force on January 1 this year.

Bell has been granted conditional bail and will return to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing on January 23.

Judge Robert Adams, presiding over the case, said he would give no indication of the likely sentence.

However, the judge warned that "all options" will be open to the court when Bell returns for sentencing next month.