XL bully 'just turned on man' before fatal mauling

David Daintree was found dead at his home on Tuesday evening

A man who tried to fight off an XL bully with a broom as it mauled his friend to death has said the dog "just turned on him".

David Daintree died after his pet attacked him at his home on Ashley Court in Accrington, Lancashire, at about 21:30 BST on Tuesday.

Neighbours said Mr Daintree, 53, and another man had been trying to separate two dogs that had been fighting shortly before the attack occurred.

Mr Daintree’s friend, Lee Brown, said he "got a brush and tried to whack it with it, but there was no chance".

Mr Brown said he had tried to subdue the dog with a broom

Mr Brown said another man in the house shouted for him to "get out, get out" as it attacked Mr Daintree, before adding: "It’s going to come for you next."

Armed police arrived shortly after the attack and shot the dog, which was considered to still pose a threat.

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, told the BBC that before the attack, she thought she heard dogs playing, but when she looked out of her window, she saw two animals fighting and "their owners trying to stop them".

Lancashire Police said Mr Daintree was the owner of the XL bully, but had only had the dog "a relatively short time".

The force said the "previous ownership of the dog" would form part of its investigation.

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, it is illegal to "rehome, sell or transfer ownership" of XL Bully dogs..

Supt Marie Jackson said Mr Daintree's family, who described him as someone with "a heart of gold who would have helped anyone who needed it", were being supported by specialist officers.

She added that extra officers would be in the area carrying out inquiries and she urged anyone with information or concerns to speak to them.