THE owner of two bulldogs which killed a Rowley Regis woman in an horrific attack in her own garden has been jailed for four years and nine months today.
Darren Pritchard, aged 44, admitted being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death, possession with intent to supply and production of cannabis.
Lucille Downer, aged 85, died after she was attacked by two American Bulldogs in her garden in Boundary Avenue, Rowley Regis on Friday April 2, 2021.
Pritchard, from Merrivale Road, Smethwick, was sentenced today (Tuesday June 13) to four years and nine months imprisonment at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
He had pleaded guilty when he appeared at the court on April 17.
Although a family member and neighbours rushed to great-grandmother Mrs Downer's aid, she was sadly confirmed dead at the scene.
Lucille’s family said: “We are happy that Darren took accountability for the death of Lucille and pleaded guilty.
"Whilst the sentencing acts as a punishment for the death caused, it will not bring Lucille back to us.
“All we can hope as a family, is that over time, the traumatic memory of events will fade, and that Lucille will continue to live on in our memories being the lady that we remember her to be.”
The ownership of two dogs was voluntarily transferred to police at the time of the incident.
Following specialist advice it was established the dogs could never be rehomed due to the violent act and they were humanely destroyed.
The cause of retired cook Mrs Dowler's death was a neck injury caused by a dog bite.
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