A man has been charged nearly two years after an 85-year-old woman was killed in a dog attack in the West Midlands.

Lucille Downer died after being attacked by two American bulldogs in the back garden of her home in Rowley Regis, near Birmingham, on 2 April 2021.

West Midlands Police said at the time Ms Downer suffered “serious” injuries in the “sustained” attack after the dogs escaped from a neighbouring property through a hole in a fence – while her family paid tribute to the “mother, grandmother and great-grandmother” saying they would “miss her dearly”.

Darren Pritchard has now been charged with being the owner or person in charge of two dogs dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death, West Midlands Police said on Monday.

The 44-year-old from Smethwick has also been charged with possession with intent to supply cannabis, and production of cannabis, and will appear at Dudley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Ms Downer’s family have been informed of the latest development, the force added.

The dogs were put down after the incident.

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