Man killed by XL Bully as he walked his puppy named as police make murder arrest

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A man who was mauled to death by an XL Bully has been named. Ian Langley, 54, was walking his Patterdale terrier puppy close to his home in Sunderland when he was attacked by the dog shortly before 6.55pm on Tuesday evening.

Police say a murder investigation has been launched. A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, while the dog was "destroyed at the scene to ensure the safety of the public".

Ian's close 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: "It's absolutely devastating that this has happened to him, he is a lovely, kind man. READ MORE: Gang dubbed the 'most organised outfit around' locked up after peddling £7m of cocaine from church 'drug factory' READ MORE: The top stories across the M.E.N. "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." Rachael, 31, added: "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." Neighbours earlier told how paramedics fought to save his life following the traumatic attack in Shiney Row at around 6.55pm.