XL Bully Owner Sentenced to Five Years for Fatal Mauling of Neighbor
James Harrison Trimble-Pettitt, a 33-year-old man from Fradley, has been jailed for five years after his two XL bully dogs mauled neighbor Ian Price to death in a brutal attack in Stonnall, Staffordshire. The incident, described by a judge as an "appalling act of savagery", occurred in September 2023 and resulted in Mr. Price, a 52-year-old father-of-two, sustaining multiple blunt force injuries that proved fatal.
Neglect and Previous Attacks Contributed to Tragedy
Stafford Crown Court heard that the dogs, named Via and Ares, were kept in deplorable conditions with no toys, blankets, or dog beds. They frequently escaped through open windows and unlocked doors, having previously attacked other people and pets. An expert witness for the prosecution noted the animals suffered from frustration, boredom, and separation distress, which likely exacerbated their extreme aggression.
The attack unfolded when Mr. Price, while walking his own dogs, attempted to shepherd Via back to Trimble-Pettitt's property after finding her loose in the street. Trimble-Pettitt had left for work with the front gate open. Ares soon joined, and both dogs attacked Mr. Price aggressively. Neighbors and passers-by used cars, wheelie bins, and other items in a desperate attempt to free him, but he succumbed to severe blood loss and cardiac arrest later that evening.
Court Details Reveal Systemic Failures
Prosecutors highlighted that large amounts of dog faeces were found in the front garden, and the living environment showed significant damage from chewing and scratching. Judge John Edwards, in addition to the prison sentence, imposed an indefinite ban on Trimble-Pettitt from keeping dogs, citing his "complete unwillingness to accept responsibility" for the animals' actions.
In a heartfelt statement, Mr. Price's wife, Heather, expressed that his death "shook me to my core. It made me question everything I believed. It ripped away every dream and plan I had for the future." One of the dogs died during the incident, and the other was euthanized by a vet afterward.
This case underscores critical issues in dog ownership and control, particularly for powerful breeds like XL bullies, emphasizing the need for proper management and supervision to prevent such tragedies.
