Man jailed after woman, 85, killed in dog attack in Rowley Regis back garden
A pet owner has been sentenced to more than four years in prison after an elderly woman died as a result of his dogs attacking her in Sandwell.
Darren Pritchard has today pleaded guilty to having dogs that were dangerously out of control, causing injury resulting in the death of the elderly woman.
The 44-year-old, from Merrivale Road, Smethwick, was sentenced to 57 months in prison.
He pleaded guilty in April to being the owner or a person 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, 85, was at her home in Rowley Regis when she suffered a neck wound after two American Bulldogs escaped from a neighbouring garden in April 2021.
Although a family member and neighbours rushed to her aid, she was confirmed dead at the scene shortly after the attack.
The ownership of the two dogs was voluntarily transferred to police at the time of the incident.
Following specialist advice, it was established the dogs could never be re-homed due to the violent act and they were humanely destroyed.
In a statement released by West Midlands Police, 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."
An inquest held previously was told Mrs Downer, a retired cook, was found in her back garden and was confirmed deceased at the scene.
A forensic post-mortem examination was carried out and the medical cause of death was found to be a neck injury caused by a dog bite.
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