You’ll want to know what happened and why it mattered the moment you hear the headline. A 12-minute attack left a father of two dead and led to a prison sentence for the dog owner; the next sections break down the incident, the timeline, and how the case moved through court. The court found the owner criminally responsible after his two XL bully dogs fatally mauled the victim, and he received a custodial sentence.
Follow the timeline to see how a brief window of violence unfolded, who was involved, and what evidence shaped the sentencing. The article will explain the incident’s key facts, the legal charges he admitted to, and the penalties imposed so you can understand both the human impact and the legal outcome.
Man Sentenced After His Dogs Fatally Attacked Father of Two: Overview of the Incident
Two XL bully dogs escaped from a home in Stonnall and, within minutes, carried out a sustained attack that left 52-year-old Ian Price with catastrophic injuries. The owner, James Harrison Trimble-Pettit, later pleaded guilty to two counts of owning dogs dangerously out of control causing death and received a custodial sentence.
Timeline of the 12-Minute Attack
At about 15:00 on 14 September 2023, witnesses saw the two XL bullies leave a property on Main Street, Stonnall, after getting out through an insecure window or door. One dog reportedly appeared outside the owner’s home shortly before the fatal encounter; Ian Price tried to recover that animal and was then attacked.
Members of the public and a father-of-two intervened, but the attack persisted. The assault lasted roughly 12 minutes from first contact to immediate medical response. Emergency services took Ian Price to hospital where he later died from his injuries. One dog died at the scene and the other was euthanised by a veterinarian later.
Attempts to Save Ian Price
Bystanders stepped in quickly, with at least one person attempting to retrieve a dog from outside Trimble-Pettit’s house prior to the fatal attack. Several witnesses tried to separate the dogs during the attack, using physical intervention and tools where available.
Emergency services arrived and provided urgent care before transporting Ian Price to hospital. Despite those efforts and prompt medical attention, his injuries proved fatal. The sustained nature of the attack and the severity of his wounds overwhelmed bystander aid and emergency treatment.
Characteristics of the XL Bullies
The dogs involved were described as XL bullies: large, muscular, and powerful in build. XL bullies often combine strength and tenacity, which can make them difficult for untrained people to control during an aggressive incident.
Prosecutors and expert assessors noted the dogs’ capacity for violence and the danger they posed when not secured. The animals’ size and force contributed to the prolonged and catastrophic nature of the attack on Ian Price, complicating bystander rescue attempts and medical interventions.
Previous Dangerous Behavior of the Dogs
Evidence showed the dogs had a documented history of escaping and aggressive behavior. In March 2023, both dogs escaped and attacked a woman and her pet in a local shop, demonstrating a pattern of uncontrolled escapes and violence.
Neighbors reported multiple earlier incidents where the dogs ran off-lead, ignored commands, and caused alarm. Trimble-Pettit had warned people the dogs were “not friendly,” and assessments later found the property’s security inadequate and the dogs kept in poor conditions that increased the risk of repeat escapes.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing Details
The court focused on evidence showing repeated escapes, inadequate security, and prior warnings about the dogs’ aggression. Sentencing reflected the sustained negligence that led to a 12-minute fatal attack and the community risk posed by the animals.
Stafford Crown Court Trial Highlights
Stafford Crown Court heard detailed testimony about the September 14, 2023 attack and the dogs’ earlier incidents. Witnesses described multiple escapes and previous aggressive behavior, including an attack in March 2023; CCTV and witness statements formed a central part of the prosecution’s case.
The defendant changed his plea early in the trial after the Crown presented compiled evidence. The judge weighed the duration and severity of the attack, the public nature of the incident on Main Street in Stonnall, and the victim’s catastrophic injuries when determining custody and disqualification from dog ownership.
James Harrison Trimble-Pettit’s Responsibility
Prosecutors argued that James Harrison Trimble-Pettit knew the dogs could escape and be dangerous, citing prior escapes and warnings from neighbors. Assessments of his property documented insecure windows and doors, poor living conditions, and lack of basic provisions for the dogs, all used to establish neglect.
Trimble-Pettit’s claim that he had locked the dogs in before leaving for work conflicted with evidence showing the window had been pushed shut but not secured. That discrepancy, plus testimony about earlier incidents, influenced the court’s finding of criminal negligence and the decision to impose an indefinite ban on owning dogs.
Role of Investigators and Expert Testimony
Detective Superintendent Cheryl Hannan and investigative teams collected witness statements, CCTV footage, and on-scene assessments that mapped the dogs’ movements and timelines. Investigators documented the garden conditions and prior reports of escape, which prosecutors used to show a pattern of failing to control the animals.
Expert witnesses assessed the property’s security and the dogs’ behavior, providing professional opinions on whether doors and windows were serviceable and on the animals’ propensity for aggression. Crown lawyer Richard Annandale used that expert evidence to link the owner’s choices to the fatal outcome and to support charges that led to imprisonment and disqualification.
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