Man pleads guilty to being owner of dangerously out of control XL bully which killed his neighbour near Sunderland

A man has pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dangerously out of control XL bully dog which killed his neighbour.

Christopher Bell, 45, admitted to the offence at Newcastle Crown Court.

The XL bully killed Ian Langley in Shiney Row near Sunderland on 3 October last year.

The 54-year-old suffered fatal neck injuries when he was attacked while walking his puppy.

Bell, formerly of Maple Terrace, Shiney Row, pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog which caused injury leading to death while dangerously out of control in a public place.

Bell, now living in Coltman Street, Hull, was granted bail and will be sentenced on 27 January.

The charge named his dog as Titan – “an American bully XL”.

Police shot the dog at the scene to protect the public.

Neighbours said Mr Langley, who was originally from Liverpool, was walking his patterdale puppy called Bow when he was attacked.

His puppy bolted and managed to escape and was being looked after by a neighbour in the aftermath of the attack which horrified residents living on the estate.

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At the time, Michael Kennedy, also from Shiney Row, said he had known 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.

“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.”