A man has been charged after two dogs that were “dangerously out of control” mauled an elderly woman who died after the horrifying attack. Lucille Downer, 85, was “dragged round her garden” on Good Friday in 2021 by two pitbull-style hounds, as they bounded through a hole in the fence in her home.
Ms Downer, who was a dementia sufferer, spent most of lockdown isolated, and was looking forward to reconnecting with her family when she turned 86, the Sun reported.
Darren Pitchard from Smethwick will appear before Dudley magistrates court on Tuesday following the charges.
Mr Pritchard is also charged with possession with intent to supply and production of cannabis.
Following his arrest by armed police at the scene, a dog was carried from the property.
Both dogs have been “humanely destroyed” after the conclusion was reached that they could never be successfully rehomed, according to police.
Lucille’s family said in a statement: “Lucille was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who spent her working years as a cook at Bromford House Care Home in West Bromwich. Lucille was born in Jamaica and emigrated to the UK in her early 20s.
“Since arriving in the UK, Rowley Regis has always been her home and her family will miss her dearly.”
A neighbour gave a glowing description of Lucille: “She was a lovely lady, she used to work as a cook before retiring and had lived there for fifty years or more.”
Another neighbour told The Sun: “The poor woman was dragged around the garden. Her injuries were on her neck.
“They mauled her neck. It’s just horrendous. The dogs managed to escape through into her garden.”
