Widow Haunted by Nightmares After XL Bully Attack, Owner Sentenced to Five Years
In a tragic case that has shocked the community, a dog owner has been jailed for five years after his two XL bullies escaped and mauled a neighbor to death in Stonnall, Staffordshire. Ian Price, 52, suffered multiple bite wounds in what the judge described as an 'appalling act of savagery' while leaving his home to walk his own dogs in September 2023.
Victim Impact Statement Reveals Ongoing Trauma
Heather Price, the widow of Ian Price, delivered a moving victim impact statement in court, revealing that she is still haunted by nightmares of the attack. She described how the dogs 'absolutely ravaged' her husband for twelve minutes as neighbors desperately used cars and wheelie bins to try and fend off the animals. Mr. Price was taken to the hospital in critical condition but succumbed to severe blood loss and cardiac arrest later that evening.
James Harrison Trimble-Pettitt, 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of being the owner of a dog that, when dangerously out of control, caused the death of Mr. Price, a father of two. Stafford Crown Court heard that the dogs, a champagne-colored female named Via and a white male named Ares, regularly escaped through open windows and unlocked doors, having previously attacked other people and pets.
Pattern of Negligence and Aggression
The prosecution detailed a pattern of negligence by Trimble-Pettitt, who had displayed a 'complete unwillingness to accept responsibility for the actions of his dogs.' Eyewitnesses reported that the XL bullies had escaped on multiple occasions, chasing and attacking a woman walking her Labrador and confronting a nine-year-old boy and his mother, leaving them 'frozen' in fear. In one incident, the dogs jumped onto a shop counter, terrifying the owner.
An expert witness for the prosecution found that the dogs' living environment, characterized by segregation, lack of supervision, and signs of frustration and boredom, likely contributed to the development of 'extreme' aggression. The court noted poor living conditions, including large amounts of dog mess and damage from chewing and scratching, with no toys provided.
Sentencing and Emotional Tributes
During sentencing, Judge Edwards acknowledged the 'catastrophic' nature of Mr. Price's death, stating that Ian Price was 'mauled to death by your two animals' in front of his wife of 20 years and his mother. He emphasized that no sentence could alleviate the devastating impact on the family, describing the loss as 'indescribable.' Defence counsel Thomas Schofield KC expressed that Trimble-Pettitt was the 'epitome of remorse' and had written a letter to the Price family, though he noted the fault lay in negligence rather than intent.
Heather Price's statement poignantly captured her grief: 'Ian was more than my husband and my best friend, he was the other half of me. The better half of me. I am lost without him.' She added that there is 'no peace, no comfort, and no acceptance in a death that was so public and so preventable.'
Broader Implications and Government Ban
This incident was one of several attacks that prompted the UK government to ban XL bullies in England and Wales, making it a criminal offense to own one without a valid certificate of exemption. The case highlights critical issues in dog ownership, management, and public safety, underscoring the need for stricter regulations and responsible pet care to prevent such tragedies in the future.
