XL Bully dog 'attacked two people' before dad mauled to death

What have police said? Force statement in full

After the incident police went on to arrest a 44-year-old man on suspicion of murder, while the dog was "destroyed at the scene to ensure the safety of the public", officers said.

They said in a statement published earlier: "A murder investigation has been launched after a man was fatally injured by an XL bully type dog.

"Shortly before 6.55pm on Tuesday (October 3) police received a report that a dog had injured a man outside of an address on Maple Terrace in Shiney Row, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. Emergency services attended the scene and the man, aged 54, was taken to hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries.

"Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he sadly passed away last night. We ask their privacy is respected at this difficult time." Anyone with concerns or information is urged to speak with an officer on duty, or by calling 101 quoting reference number NP-20231003-0979.

XL Bully dog 'attacked two people' before 'kind and caring' dad mauled to death

A killer XL Bully, whose owner has been arrested on suspicion of murder, was involved in previous dog attacks reported to police.

Horrified witness have told how “kind and caring” dad-of-one Ian Langley, 54, was fatally injured when the suspected XL Bully sank its teeth into his neck. Yesterday the dog’s owner, 44, originally arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, was re-arrested on suspicion of murder. The dog was shot dead at the scene, and a second, also believed to be an XL, was seized.

Dog shot dead by police after mauling girl, 4, to death in horror attack

As friends and neighbours paid tribute to the victim, it emerged the dog had been involved in previous incidents. Retired Coal Board driver Jimmy Johns, 82, said it had grabbed his border terrier Albie’s leg and its jaw had had to be prised open.

Read more here

Police believe the owner of the dog and Mr Langley were known to each other

In a statment confirming Mr Langley's death, Northumbria Police confirmed he and the 44-year-old owner of the killer dog were known to each other.

The suspect was initially arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Following Mr Langley's death, he was rearrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Angela Hudson added: "While our investigation is at an early stage, we do believe those involved were known to each other, and there is no wider risk to the public.

“I would also continue to ask people not to speculate about the incident online, including on social media, while enquiries continue.”

Police officially name victim of fatal dog attack as Ian Langley

Northumbria Police have tonight officially named the victim of the dog attack in Sunderland as Ian Langley, 54.

Detective Chief Inspector Angela Hudson, of Northumbria Police, said: “Our thoughts remain with Ian’s family and loved ones, as we continue to support them at this tragic time. Our investigation is ongoing, as we look to get answers for Ian’s family around what has happened.

“I would urge any further witnesses or anyone with information to contact police as soon as possible. Your help could prove vital in this case."

(Facebook)

Killer dog had 'attacked two other people' before fatal attack

The dog accused of mauling Mr Langley to death is said to have attacked at least two other people before turning its jaws on the victim.

Police have cinfirmed officers will be investigating the claims, according to the Sun.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "We are aware of comments about concerns previously being reported to police in relation to dogs in Shiney Row, Sunderland.

"We can confirm we will be reviewing these reports."

Victim had been walking puppy at time of the attack - reports

Mr Langley had been walking his Patterdale puppy, Beau, at the time of the attack, it has been reported.

After the fatal attack on its owner, the puppy ran away but is now safe and being cared for by a friend.

'He didn't deserve this'

A “heartbroken” close friend of Mr Langley has paid tribute to the victim.

Michael Kennedy, 64, knew him for more than 20 years. He told Chronicle Live: “I want him to be remembered as a really good lad. He never did anyone any harm.

“He was a very caring fella. He didn’t deserve this. I’m heartbroken.”

'The incident has shocked the entire community' - MP

Bridget Philipson, MP for Houghton and Sunderland South, described the incident as “shocking”.

She wrote on social media: “The incident last night in Shiney Row has shocked our entire community. My thoughts, as I’m sure those of everyone else, are with the man’s family and friends at this tragic time.

“It’s very important people do not speculate publicly about the circumstances surrounding the police investigation. I would urge anyone with information about this case to come forward and speak to the police to help them with their inquiries.”

The incident last night in Shiney Row has shocked our entire community.

My thoughts, as I’m sure those of everyone else, are with the man’s family and friends at this tragic time. (1/2) https://t.co/QJKFC1QpGU

— Bridget Phillipson (@bphillipsonMP) October 4, 2023

Police told neighbour to stay inside before dog was destroyed

Another neighbour has spoken of the moment she heard a gunshot, moments after being told to stay inside her home by cops.

Linda Blyth, who lives in Maple Terrace, said she saw paramedics working on the victim's neck. When police arrived officers told residents to stay inside before the dog was destroyed in the owner’s yard.

She said: “We were told, 'go in, shut your doors' and then I heard the gunshot.

"I don't know what set the dog off, everyone is speculating. It was awful to see, you don't expect it on your doorstep."

(Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)

The dog's owner was shouting 'help, help', says neighbour

A neighbour of Mr Langley described how she at first thought she could hear people fighting outside before she checked.

She said the owner of the XL Bully was calling for help and had called the police, adding: “I heard noises and thought it was people fighting. looked out of the window and all of a sudden (the owner) was shouting 'help, help'. I went out and the guy was on the floor bleeding."

She said the injured man's neck was badly injured and when he tried to stand he collapsed. Other neighbours helped with first aid until ambulance crews arrived.

Victim was only 8 stone and stood no chance, says friend

Michael Kennedy, 64, also from Shiney Row, knew Mr Langley for more than 20 years, and said many people knew him simply as "Scouse".

He said: "He was a really nice lad, he came from Liverpool, he was a lovable rogue you might say. That lad must have been eight stone, he seemed malnourished and was not looking after himself. I was worried about him, telling him to look after himself and be careful.

"He used to go to the church every Tuesday, where people go to help each other out. My mam goes and every time I saw him he would ask after her. He was a very caring fella. The reason I am speaking to you (the press) is because I don't want his name to be tarnished, he doesn't deserve that. I am heartbroken.

"He never did any harm, he was not a violent person, he wasn't a hard man, he wasn't the type to go looking for trouble. He was really thin, he would have no chance against a big dog."

Police at the scene where the dog attack took place (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)

Attack comes as PM looks to ban American XL Bully dogs

Last night's attack in Sunderland comes as the Government looks to ban American XL bully dogs in response to a series of attacks.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised to ban the breed in September under the Dangerous Dogs Act by the end of the year. An official spokesman for Mr Rishi said a "transition period" would be introduced, with details likely to follow a consultation on the plan.

Owners could face a requirement to neuter their dogs and muzzle them in public, the Government's chief vet has suggested.

A police officer outside a property at the scene (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)

Victim spent final hours going to church before attack

A dad who died in a ferocious XL Bully attack last night had spent his final hours going to church, a close friend has said.

Ian Langley, affectionately known as Scouse, was out walking his Patterdale terrier puppy Beau close to his home in Sunderland when he was attacked. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

The 54-year-old's friend, Rachael Barron, described him as "lovely, kind man" who was a "real dog lover" and "could not hurt a fly". She told the Mirror how, shortly before the attack, he dropped by hers after going to a local church where he had lunch.

Rachael, 31, said: "Yesterday Scouse went to the local church where he had his lunch and came to ours later because he'd left Beau with us to look after. He was happy, he said he'd had a lovely meal and was happy to come back to Beau. He absolutely loved his dog, he was a real dog lover.

"His dog Smudge, which he'd had for many years, died quite recently and he didn't know what to do with himself without him. My partner and I encouraged him to get another dog and we found him Beau, who he got when he was eight weeks old. They were together all the time and he was always out walking him."

Read more here.

Police at the scene today (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)

Victim 'picked up puppy to try and keep her safe', claims friend

By Jeremy Armstrong

Ian Langley's friend Janice Gonzales, 65, looked after his puppy, Beau, before it was taken to another address.

She said: "Ian was here at 3pm on Tuesday, chatting and helping to weed my back yard. He said he'd come back today to help me with my allotment because I suffer from arthritis. That's the kind of man he was, kind and helpful and friendly.

"He always walked Beau along that same route but on Tuesday night something happened and it seems as though the bully went for Beau and Ian picked her up to try to keep her safe. The dog's got hold of him and the injuries were terrible.

"We were up all night waiting for news because we heard to begin with that he'd survived. My daughter came round devastated to say he had died and it was just awful. Beau ran away during the attack and we thought she must have been killed as well but she was found and someone brought her to us and we took her in to look after her.

"We also have a male Patterdale and Ian had talked of breeding them. She was a great companion for him. I don't know the owner of the bully very well."

Forensics examining the scene (PA)

Forensic officers examining scene of attack

A team of forensic officers arrived at the scene of the Bully XL murder investigation today to search for evidence.

Dressed in white overalls, masks and gloves, they began at an address on Maple Terrace in Shiney Row, Sunderland. They were also on the field nearby where the fatal attack took place on Tuesday evening.

At least seven forensic officers were seen outside a property with a high fence on the row of terraced houses. It was marked with signs which warned of 'dogs on the premises'.

Forensic officers at the scene (PA)

Detectives 'working hard' to establish circumstances of attack

Detectives are "working to hard to establish the circumstances" of the attack, Northumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner has said.

Kim McGuinness said: "Police officers in Sunderland are investigating a tragic incident here. My thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the man who has passed away.

"I’ve spoken with investigating officers who are working hard to establish the circumstances around what has happened and enquiries remain ongoing."

Forensic officers on Maple Terrace in Shiney Row (PA)

Tributes pour in for victim who will be 'massively missed'

Tributes have poured in on social media from devastated friends of the victim, who was popular in the area and affectionately known as Scouse.

One person wrote: "R.I.P Ian Langley aka scouse. You're gonna be a big miss round here. Thinking of your family." Another posted: "Absolutely devastated can't stop thinking about you Ian! My heart is with the family!"

A third said: "We were just talking to Ian on Monday and this has knocked me sick. RIP scouse as we knew him love and thoughts are with the family and everyone who knew him." And a fourth added: "Absolutely gutted, will be a massive miss in the area, RIP".

Another friend said: "Rip scouse. Horrible world we live in you will be a massive miss in shiney."

A police cordon remains in place (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)

Victim named as 'lovely' dad who was 'walking puppy when attacked'

By Jeremy Armstrong

The victim of a ferocious attack by an XL Bully - now being treated as murder - has been named by a close friend as Ian Langley, 54, known to friends as Scouse.

The father of one, originally from Liverpool, had been walking Beau, his Patterdale terrier puppy close to his home in Shiney Row when he was attacked. Mr Langley, who lived alone, doted on Beau, who had become his faithful companion.

Police said this morning that the victim's next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers.

Friend Rachael Barron, 31, told the Mirror: "It's absolutely devastating that this has happened to him, he is a lovely, kind man. He's very slight of build and could not hurt a fly, he would have stood no chance against a dog as big as that, it makes me feel sick to think about it.

"Scouse would come to our house three or four times a day and would stay for meals or just to chat. He split up with his partner a little while ago and lived alone but he liked company so would come over just to chat and he was lovely with our children.

"He has a son of his own who lives abroad, it is such a tragedy for him as well. Yesterday Scouse went to the local church where he had his lunch and came to ours later because he'd left Beau with us to look after.

"He was happy, he said he'd had a lovely meal and was happy to come back to Beau. He absolutely loved his dog, he was a real dog lover. His dog Smudge, which he'd had for many years, died quite recently and he didn't know what to do with himself without him.

"My partner and I encouraged him to get another dog and we found him Beau, who he got when he was eight weeks old. They were together all the time and he was always out walking him. I don't know exactly what has happened but if another dog was trying to get at Beau, Scouse would have done anything to protect him.

"We have been devastated, I haven't even been able to tell the kids yet, they will be so upset. Everyone knew and liked him, he was a lovely guy. He didn't work but spent all his time with Beau or helping out in people's allotments. He just liked to be around people."

Ian Langley, 54 (Facebook)

Police told neighbours to go inside and shut their doors

Linda Blyth, who lives in Maple Terrace, said she saw paramedics working on the injured man's neck. The attack happened on grassy area behind her home, she said.

Police responded in large numbers and officers told residents to go inside. She said: "We were told 'go in, shut your doors' and then I heard the gun shot." The dog was shot in the owner's yard.

"I don't know what set the dog off, everyone is speculating," she said. Speaking of the paramedics, she said: "It was awful to see, you don't expect it on your doorstep."

She said she could hear their heart monitor beeping as the man was stretchered past. A friend of hers had just visited the XL Bully that lunchtime and told her: "It's soft as clarts."

Police at the scene where the dog attack took place (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)

Large police cordon remains in place

A large police cordon remained in place on Maple Terrace and neighbouring Lowerson Avenue.

Northumbria Police have assured the public there is no wider risk to the community and said officers will remain at the scene.

They urged people not to speculate online about the dogs or the attack while enquiries are ongoing, including on social media.

A police cordon at the scene (Newcastle Chronicle)

Police 'shot XL Bully in owner's yard'

A local dog owner, who asked not to be named, frequently saw two XL Bullies being walked in the area.

He saw the man's throat had been injured. He said: "I heard a girl screaming for the police, saying the man was dying. The man got put in the ambulance and they were working on him here for about 10 minutes before they set off.

"I have seen the two dogs before, they are well known in the area, an older one and a younger one. They shot the older one in the yard."

A sign warning of a 'dog on premises' (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)

Eyewitness saw man staggering with blood pouring from his neck

By Jeremy Armstrong

An eyewitness has told how the man who died in the XL Bully attack staggered from the scene with blood pouring from a neck wound.

Police have today launched a murder investigation following the death of the unnamed victim. Laura Reynolds, 24, lives on Maple Terrace in Shiney Row, Sunderland, where the man, in his 50s, was left with the fatal injuries to his neck.

She said: "The owner of the dog was shouting for help and the man who was attacked was lying on the floor. I could see the blood spurting from the wound on his neck. He managed to get to his feet and he walked away but he fell over by the fence in front of a woman.

"She ran to get a cold compress to put onto the wound and she was trying her best to help him. Then suddenly he stopped moving completely before the paramedics arrived." She said there was initially one police car at the scene before the area was flooded by officers.

Laura Reynolds witnessed the attack (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)

Man dies as police launch murder probe - full statement

In an update this morning, Northumbria Police said: "A murder investigation has been launched after a man was fatally injured by an XL bully type dog.

"Shortly before 6.55pm on Tuesday (October 3) police received a report that a dog had injured a man outside of an address on Maple Terrace in Shiney Row, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. Emergency services attended the scene and the man, aged 54, was taken to hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries.

"Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he sadly passed away last night.The man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers. We ask their privacy is respected at this difficult time.

"A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm. Following the man’s death, he has since been re-arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody at this time.

"The dog was destroyed at the scene to ensure the safety of the public."

A large police presence around Maple Terrace (Newcastle Chronicle)

Man left with 'horrendous' neck injuries, says eyewitness

By Jeremy Armstrong

Eyewitnesses told how the first ambulance arrived within minutes. Paramedics then worked on the man at the scene before he was put into the ambulance.

‌But they remained on the street with him in the back of the ambulance before it left for hospital. A 44-year-old, who did not wish to be named, told the Mirror: "They were out of control, everyone around here knew about them.

‌"The woman ran up to a police officer and was screaming for help. She was flagging him down and his throat was hanging out. She was afraid that he was dying. There were people who went running to the field from streets around but the police told them to stand back.

"It was horrendous. The ambulance was here in minutes and the paramedics were working on him for a long time. But they then had him in the back of the ambulance for a long time before they left."

Three police cordons have been set up in the area (Newcastle Chronicle)

Police statement in full

In a statement last night, Northumbria Police said: "An investigation has been launched after a man was seriously injured by a dog in Sunderland. Shortly before 6.55pm today, we received a report that a dog had injured a man outside of an address on Maple Terrace in Shiney Row.

"Emergency services attended the scene and the man – in his 50s – was taken to hospital with serious injuries. A 44-year-old man was arrested in connection with the report. He remains in police custody at this time.

"The dog was destroyed at the scene to ensure the safety of the public. A second dog was also seized from the address as a precaution. There is no wider risk to the public, and officers remain in the area to offer reassurance to the community.

Police activity on Maple Terrace in Shiney Row near Sunderland (PA)

"We would also ask people not to speculate about the incident online, including on social media, while enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with concerns or information about what has happened is encouraged to speak with an officer on duty.

"You can also get in touch using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or call 101 quoting reference number NP-20231003-0979."