Detectives launched a murder inquiry after Ian Langley, 54, suffered devastating neck injuries as he bent down to rescue Patterdale terrier pup Beau.

Horrified onlookers watched as Mr Langley’s throat was “ripped wide apart” by the snarling animal, which locals claim had a history of attacking other dogs.

The Liverpool-born victim, nicknamed Scouse on the estate, was given emergency CPR by paramedics who raced to the scene on Sunderland’s Shiney Row estate on Tuesday evening and spent 15 minutes frantically trying to stem his bleeding before transporting him to hospital in Newcastle where he succumbed to his injuries.

One witness said: “His injuries were horrific, I’ve never seen anything like it. His throat was hanging out and there was so much blood.

“Once a dog that big and powerful latches on they don’t let go.”

READ MORE: Man suffers ‘serious injuries’ after dog attack

Michael Kennedy, 64, also from Shiney Row, knew Mr Langley for more than 20 years, said he weighed only eight stone and would have had “no chance” against the vicious brute.

Mr Kennedy said said:”He was a really nice lad…but he 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. 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.”

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Police yesterday confirmed that the 44-year-old owner of the dog has been arrested and a murder investigation has been launched.

The latest attack, which is the sixth fatality caused by an XL Bully this year comes as the Government looks to ban the deadly breed which are disproportionately represented in attacks.

Residents living close to the scene were ordered to take refuge inside as armed officers shot the killer dog dead.

Neighbour Linda Blyth, 56, said: “It was really awful, it’s a tragedy for everyone involved, but especially the family of the man who was attacked.

“It seems as though the man was trying to get his puppy out of the way when the XL Bully took hold of him.

Mr Langley’s friend Janice Gonzales, 65, said: “I’m aware of two people whose dogs have been attacked by that XL Bully and apparently there have been more than that.

“The police were made aware and nothing was done about it and now we’re dealing with the death of our friend. Something should have been done before it came to this.

“Ian was here 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.”

Another local mum said the area is plagued by dangerous dogs and added that the horror attack was “an accident waiting to happen”.

She said: “The dogs in question have already been reported on numerous occasions for attacking other dogs.
“But the police have done nothing until it has attacked a human. It’s quite a bad area here for dogs.

“It’s really worrying for me as I have children. You get to the point where you are scared to let them do anything.

Det Ch Insp Angela Hudson, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is an absolutely tragic incident, and we will continue to offer the victim’s relatives support in any way that we can.

“A full investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances of what has happened. I would like to reassure the wider community that there is no ongoing risk to them, and officers will remain in the area to offer reassurance and carry out enquiries.”

Police shot the dog “to ensure the safety of the public” and took another dog, also believed to be an XL bully, into custody.

The latest attack comes as the Government looks to ban American XL bully dogs in response to a series of attacks.

In September, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised to ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act by the end of the year.

An official spokesman for Mr Sunak 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.

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