Man appears in court in connection with fatal Shiney Row XL Bully attack
Christopher Bell is charged with being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death
by David Huntley · ChronicleLiveA man has appeared at court in connection with a fatal XL bully attack which resulted in the death of a dad.
Ian Langley died in hospital after an incident outside a home on Maple Terrace, in Shiney Row, near Sunderland, on October 3 last year. An American XL bully dog, named Titan, is said to have attacked the 54-year-old.
Christopher Bell, 45, of De La Pole Avenue, Hull, was later charged with being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death. On Friday, he appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.
Bell was not required to enter a plea to the offence at the morning hearing, and due to the severity of the charge the case was sent straight to Newcastle Crown Court. District Judge Zoe Passfield declined jurisdiction and sent the case to the crown court.
Anna Barker, prosecuting, told the court that it was a "tragic case, which resulted in the death of Ian Langley". She added: "The Crown submit that due to the severity [of the charge] it should be dealt with at the crown court." Angus Westgarth, defending, made no representations and agreed the case should be sent to the higher court.
Bell will next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, November 18. He was granted unconditional bail until his next appearance.
Since Ian Langley's death, XL Bully dogs have become a banned breed. On December 31 last year it became illegal to rehome, breed or sell an XL Bully dog. And on February 1 this year it became illegal to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate. For owners to keep their dog they must obtain public liability insurance, and have it microchipped, muzzled in public and neutered.
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