THE seven-year-old granddaughter of a man mauled to death by an XL Bully has paid a heartbreaking tribute.
David Daintree was fatally attacked by the dog at his home in Accrington, Lancashire, on Tuesday evening.
His granddaughter – known as Squeaky-Lou – said: “To my Gar, I am going to miss you lots. I love you lots but I am glad you’re back with nanny now.
“Please give her some big cuddles and sloppy kisses from me. Love yours and nanny’s Squeaky-Lou.”
The 55-year-old had died by the time police arrived at the scene in Ashley Court.
The force had been alerted to the situation by the ambulance service at around 9.30pm.
Cops said the dog “continued to pose a threat of serious harm”.
The Sun previously revealed widower David had been warned by his daughter Joanne to get rid of the dog once she realised it was of the controversial breed.
She told us: “As soon as I knew it was an XL Bully I told him to get rid of it.”
David’s beloved wife Sharon had died in July 2021.
Young mum Joanne said: “He was lonely because the love of his life was no longer here and he didn’t know what to do with himself.”
In a separate tribute, she said: “Dad was a man who had so much love to give he didn’t know what to do with it.
“Everyone that has ever met him have all said what a lovely man he was.
“Yes, like a lot of people he went through some dark hard times, but he was working hard to get his life back on track, but he was struggling as he lost the love of his life in 2021 but he was starting to get his big loving heart back.
“He was the kindest, most loving person you would ever meet. He would help anyone including people he didn’t know, and he has done that on a number of occasions.
“He was a brilliant granddad, dad, husband and he will be missed by so many people.
“At least now your back with your Shazza and you can get back to drinking your Bacardi and cokes together. Rest in peace Daddy Dave.”
A police investigation into the circumstances is continuing and these enquiries will include how the dog came to be in David’s possession and its previous ownership, the force said.
From February 1 it has been illegal to own an XL Bully dog if it is not registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting log 1480 of August 20 2024.
