Darren Pritchard jailed after his American bulldogs fatally attacked a great grandmother

A man has been jailed today (Tuesday, June 13) for having two American bulldogs dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in the death of great grandmother Lucille Downer.

Lucille, aged 85, died following injuries sustained from these dogs in her rear garden in Boundary Avenue, Rowley Regis on Friday 2 April 2021. Although a family member and neighbours rushed to her aid, she was sadly confirmed dead at the scene soon afterwards.

Darren Pritchard, aged 44 from Merrivale Road, Smethwick, appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 18 April where he pleaded guilty 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. He was sentenced today to four years and nine months imprisonment.

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 West Midlands 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.