Police seize 15 'American Bully XL dogs' and arrest woman after father, 37, mauled to death in Leigh
20 May 2023, 13:09 | Updated: 20 May 2023, 23:46
Police have seized 15 dogs and arrested a second person after a 37-year-old father was mauled to death by an American Bully XL.
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Officers rushed to Westleigh Lane in Leigh at about 9pm on Thursday to find Jonathan Hogg with serious injuries believed to have been caused by a dangerously out of control dog.
A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of owning a dangerously out of control dog causing injury resulting in death.
Now, Greater Manchester Police said it has seized 15 dogs - six adults and nine puppies - after searching two houses which are believed to be the same breed that attacked Mr Hogg.
During the investigation, a 22-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of money laundering.
Detective Chief Inspector John Davies said: "GMP officers searched two houses and seized 15 dogs (six adults and nine puppies) believed to be the same breed as that which attacked Jonathan. These dogs are now being cared for at a specialist facility.
"Items totalling a value of £37,500 believed to be the result of criminal proceeds have been seized."
Mr Hogg had just become a father again.
His devastated widow Liberty Farrimond, 24, told the Daily Mail: "We've just had a baby and now I've got to explain to our kids why their dad is gone."
An eyewitness who owns a nearby business said: "My son was burning rubbish and the dog started barking at him.
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"The dog minder came out and started petting it, just telling it to shush, and then he started play fighting with it - but it suddenly turned on him.
"The minder shouted 'help me' to my lad, who tried to stop what was happening by throwing stones at the dog but it had got out of hand by then. It just happened in minutes."
He told The Sun his son called 999 and has been left traumatised.
Mr Hogg was taken to hospital but died in the early hours of Friday morning. He leaves two children, one aged four months and another aged two.
Despite the efforts of armed officers to subdue the dog, it posed a significant risk to the public and was humanely killed, police said.
Ms Farrimond said: "He was an amazing dad. He would have done anything for them. He was a stay-at-home dad and loved being around his kids.
"Now they've had that taken away by a dog. Our daughter turns two on Sunday, and he should be there. It's not fair."
She added: "He was so well known and everybody loved him - that's all he ever said, about how much he adored his friends and kids."
His family said in a police statement: "Jonathan was a well-loved, sensitive, and kind person who will never know how loved and appreciated he was by everyone who knew him.
"We have been inundated with messages of support and we ask for privacy at this time to come to terms with our loss."
Detective Superintendent Simon Hurst of Greater Manchester Police's Wigan district said: "Firstly, I would like to extend my condolences to the loved ones of the victim of this attack.
"Our officers and our partners are currently supporting the victim’s loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.
"We recognise this incident will rightly cause concern within the local area and we would like to reassure the public that we explored every possible avenue to protect the local community and the animal involved.
"We would urge members of the public to please come forward if they have any information in regard to this incident, any information you may have may be a huge help to our investigation."
Anyone with information is urged to report it to GMP on 101 quoting log 3769 of 18/05/2023. You can also report information online using the ‘report’ tool.
Alternatively, report information to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
