Lancashire Police have confirmed the death of a man after he was attacked in his home by his own XL Bully dog.
The man was 53-year-old David Daintree, the dog owner was found dead in his Accrington home on 20 August following calls to the emergency services of a dog attacking someone in their home.
Police confirmed that they were forced to destroy the dog.
A press release from Lancashire Police said: "As the dog was continuing to pose a significant threat of serious harm, we were left with no alternative but to discharge a police firearm to destroy it and prevent it from causing further injury to more people.
"Specially trained officers are supporting Mr Daintree’s family, and our thoughts are with them at this time.
"An investigation is ongoing."
Superintendent Marie Jackson, of East Police, 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.”
Police said they were called to a home in Ashley Court, Accrington at around 9:30pm on Tuesday night by the ambulance service.
They said that the 53-year-old man was sadly deceased when they arrived, and they could confirm he was the owner of the property and the dog.
Anyone with information that could help the police in their enquiries has been asked to call 101, quoting log 1480 of 20th August 2024.
Strict rules on the ownership of XL Bully dogs were brought in late last year, it has since become illegal to sell, gift, exchange, breed or abandon the breed of dog.
In public places all XL Bullies must be muzzled and on a lead, though there are no such restrictions on doing so in private spaces such as homes.
All XL Bully dogs still in the country have to be registered, and it is a criminal offence to own one of the unregistered dogs.
The ban on XL Bully dogs was implemented after 23 people lost their lives to vicious dog attacks over a three year period.
Many of those attacks involved XL Bullies, and there were other attacks which caused serious harm but did not result in loss of life.
Joe Harker