A widower has been mauled to death by an XL Bully dog his family said he was looking after for a friend.
Specialist officers shot the animal dead after the horror attack on David Daintree, 53, at his home on Tuesday evening.
Mr Daintree’s daughter, Joanne Trezise, posted a tribute on Facebook saying: ‘Sleep tight daddy Dave. Love you.’
She insisted her father didn’t own the dog but had simply offered to look after it for a friend temporarily.
‘He was the sort of person that couldn’t say no to anything,’ she said.
‘He had the biggest heart of gold and because he was on his own missing his late wife he wanted some company.’
According to social media, Mr Daintree’s wife, Sharon, passed away in July 2021.
Ambulance crews and police were called to Mr Daintree’s home in Accrington, Lancashire shortly before 9.30pm on Tuesday, but he had already died from his injuries.
Lancashire police said that because the dog was continuing to pose ‘a significant threat of serious harm’ officers were left with no alternative but to shoot the animal.
Lancashire Police said officers were left with no choice but to shoot the animal with a firearm as it posed ‘a significant threat of serious harm’.
Specialist support officers are supporting Mr Daintree’s family as an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Superintendent Marie Jackson said: ‘This is a tragic incident which has sadly resulted in a man losing his life and my thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.
‘An investigation into the circumstances is ongoing and I would appeal to anyone with any information to get in touch.
‘We will have extra officers out and about in the area carrying out enquiries and I would urge anyone with information or concerns to speak to them.’
The XL Bully, which is the largest type of American bulldog, was made illegal to own in England and Wales as of January 31 without exemption, following a spate of fatal attacks across the UK.
The powerful breed has distinctive features, including an average 20-inch height, broad shoulders, a bulky head and nine-stone weight.
A recent study found that of the ten areas in England with the most XL bully attacks, five were in the north west.
Anyone with information should call 101, quoting log 1480 of 20 August 2024.