It was a sunny afternoon in Stonnall, Staffordshire, on September 14, 2023, when tragedy struck Main Street. Ian Price, a 52-year-old local resident known for his vibrant spirit and generosity, fell victim to a horrific attack by two XL Bully dogs named Via and Ares. Despite desperate attempts by bystanders and emergency responders to save him, Ian Price succumbed to catastrophic injuries at the hospital, leaving the community in shock and his family devastated.
This week, after a lengthy legal process marked by emotional courtroom scenes and public outcry, the man responsible for the dogs, James Harrison Trimble-Pettitt, 32, of Fradley, pleaded guilty at Stafford Crown Court. According to BBC and other local sources, he admitted to two counts of being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing death. The charges stemmed from his failure to properly secure the dogs, a lapse that prosecutors argued was more than just a fleeting mistake.
The case drew national attention not just for its tragic outcome, but for its timing. Just hours after the fatal attack, then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a ban on the XL Bully breed in England and Wales—a decision that would soon make it a criminal offense to own one without a valid certificate of exemption. The government’s swift response underscored growing concerns about public safety and the responsibilities of dog owners, especially those with powerful breeds.
Trimble-Pettitt’s journey through the justice system was anything but straightforward. In January 2025, he initially pleaded guilty, but on the basis that the dogs’ escape was due to a “momentary lapse in concentration.” This explanation was not accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service, which insisted that the facts painted a more serious picture of negligence. As a result, a trial of issue—a legal process where the defendant admits guilt but disputes the prosecution’s version of events—began on October 13, 2025.
In court, emotions ran high. On the first day of the trial, Thomas Schofield, defending, told the judge that Trimble-Pettitt wanted to spare Ian Price’s family the ordeal of a drawn-out, stressful hearing. But the prosecution, led by Peter Grieves-Smith, was unequivocal. He described Trimble-Pettitt as someone who had “arrogantly disregarded his responsibilities” as a dog owner. By the second day, Trimble-Pettitt admitted full culpability, bringing an end to the legal wrangling and paving the way for sentencing, scheduled for January 5, 2026, at Stafford Crown Court.
Throughout the proceedings, the voice of Ian Price’s family resonated with gratitude and heartbreak. In a statement released through Staffordshire Police, they said: “To every member of the public who tried to help Ian on that fateful day, we salute you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You are heroes. To the emergency services who attended on that day, and to the staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital who tried so desperately to save Ian, thank you.” Their words painted a vivid picture of a man cherished by many, remembered for his “enthusiasm and passion for life, but above all his kind and generous spirit.”
The community’s response was immediate and heartfelt. Many local residents, still shaken by the incident, rallied around the Price family, offering support and sharing memories of Ian’s warmth and positivity. The family’s statement continued: “Our family has been overwhelmed by the love and support shown to us since that dreadful day and we thank you all for your kind words and actions. Ian will live on in our hearts and in the children he adored.”
Detective Superintendent Cheryl Hannan, who led the investigation for Staffordshire Police, left no doubt about the gravity of the situation. “Ian’s injuries caused by the dogs attacking him were catastrophic; he tragically died a short time later,” she stated. “The simple fact is that Trimble-Pettitt didn’t secure his dogs properly and Ian’s death could have been avoided.” She went on to thank the investigation team for their diligence, as well as everyone who responded on the day of the attack.
The incident also cast a harsh spotlight on the dangers posed by certain dog breeds and the responsibilities that come with ownership. Both Via, the champagne-colored female, and Ares, the white male, were involved in the attack. One of the dogs died during the struggle as bystanders tried to restrain it, while the other was euthanized by a veterinarian inside Trimble-Pettitt’s flat, as confirmed by Staffordshire Police. The community’s efforts to save Ian Price, though ultimately unsuccessful, were recognized by his family and the authorities alike.
Ian Price’s death was not an isolated event. It became one of several high-profile attacks involving XL Bullies that prompted the government to act. The ban on XL Bullies in England and Wales now makes it a criminal offense to own one without proper documentation. This legislative move, announced by Rishi Sunak in the immediate aftermath of the Stonnall attack, was intended to prevent further tragedies and ensure public safety. The debate over the ban, however, continues to stir strong emotions on all sides, with advocates for responsible ownership arguing that the real issue lies in enforcement and education rather than breed-specific legislation.
Meanwhile, the courts are seeing more cases involving these powerful dogs. In a related incident, Eliza Roberts of Banbury faces trial after withdrawing her guilty pleas in connection with a fatal dog attack involving her two XL Bullies, Kobi and Kardi. The charges against her include possession of a fighting dog, allowing dogs in public without a muzzle or lead, being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. Her case, set for trial at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, highlights the ongoing legal and ethical challenges surrounding ownership of such breeds.
As the January sentencing approaches, the Price family and the Stonnall community continue to grapple with the loss of a beloved father, friend, and neighbor. The case of James Harrison Trimble-Pettitt stands as a sobering reminder of the consequences of negligence and the enduring pain left in the wake of preventable tragedy. For many, the hope is that increased awareness, stricter regulations, and a renewed sense of responsibility among dog owners will help prevent similar heartbreak in the future.
Ultimately, the events in Stonnall have sparked a national conversation about safety, responsibility, and how best to honor the memory of those like Ian Price—whose lives are cut short not by fate, but by failures that, as the courts and his loved ones have made clear, should never have happened.
