Great grandmother Lucille Downer died after being attacked by two dogs in her back garden in Rowley Regis on Good Friday in 2021

A man has appeared in court charged with having two “dangerously out of control” dogs which killed a great-grandmother.

Lucille Downer, 85, was attacked by two American bulldogs which burst into her garden in Boundary Avenue, Rowley Regis, West Midlands. The retired cook died of “multiple injuries” following the attack, which happened at around 3.20pm on Good Friday, on April 2, 2021.

Darren Pritchard, 44, appeared at Dudley Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday, March 21) charged with “being in charge of two dangerously out of control dogs”. He was also charged with drug possession and production.

Pritchard, of Merrivale Road, Smethwick, spoke only to confirm his name and address. He did not make a plea and was bailed and ordered to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on April 18.

West Midlands Police said the dogs had been “humanely destroyed” as they could not be rehomed.