STONNALL, UNITED KINGDOM – SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 52-year-old Ian Price was attacked in the village of Stonnall by two aggressive dogs of the American XL bully breed. According to all available information, the attack occurred when the dogs were freely running around an open area. They first tried to attack Ian’s mother, but he protected her with his own body, so the dogs turned their attack on him instead.
Ian Price
Several witnesses to the incident tried to intervene and pull the dogs off Ian to help him. However, all efforts were in vain. Ian suffered fatal injuries and died after being taken to the hospital.
One of the dogs was injured so severely by witnesses that it died shortly after the incident. The other was euthanized by a veterinarian at the owner’s home.
The dogs’ owner was identified as James Harrison Trimble-Pettitt. It was found that he had previously had legal issues for failing to adequately secure his dogs. His court proceedings dragged on until October 2025, when he pleaded guilty to two counts of the indictment. His criminal case will continue with sentencing and the announcement of his punishment.
The case sparked a broader debate in Britain about the danger and regulation of the XL bully breed. Following the attack on Ian Price in the fall of 2023, the government announced steps to classify the breed as banned, leading to stricter ownership rules, registration, and other measures under the review of the Dangerous Dogs Act. Critics also point to problems with enforcing the rules and the consequences for breeders and responsible dog owners.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-66817795
