Pictured: Owner of ‘ticking time bomb’ dogs that ‘mauled great-gran to death in horrific Rowley Regis attack’
THIS is the man accused of owning two “ticking time bomb” dogs which allegedly mauled a great-gran to death.
Darren Wheeler, 42, has been named locally as having the pitbull-type animals accused of dragging Lucille Downer, 85, round her garden by the neck.
Pictures posted online show Wheeler and two pals posing with seven similar breeds, alongside the caption: “My team looking strong.”
Neighbours in Rowley Regis, West Mids, described the animals as like “ticking time bombs”.
Locals believe he breeds the puppies which can fetch up to £6,000 each, studding out his beasts as “trophy dogs”.
Dementia-sufferer Lucille was due to enjoy an outdoors meet-up with her relatives when dogs got in her garden through a fence and killed her at 3.20pm on Good Friday.
She had been looking forward to seeing her family on Wednesday to mark turning 86.
Neighbours say her daughter, who lived opposite, had planned a small get-together in the garden of her home.
‘ABSOLUTELY HEARTBREAKING’
The neighbour said: “It’s absolutely heartbreaking and the family are in pieces.
“They’d planned to be together next week and have a little celebration in the garden if the weather was nice with cake and some party food.
“Now they are having to plan a funeral. Nobody can believe or comprehend what’s happened.”
In a statement her family said: “Lucille was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who spent her working years as a cook at Bromford House Care Home in West Bromwich.
“Lucille was born in Jamaica and emigrated to the UK in her early 20s.
“Since arriving in the UK, Rowley Regis has always been her home and her family will miss her dearly.”
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Wheeler was arrested on suspicion of being the person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and death is caused.
He has been released on bail and is currently at a secret address for his own safety.
Both dogs have been destroyed.