Lorain Police Chief Jim McCann addresses media at a information convention Sept. 7. (Heather Chapin–The Morning Journal)
The Lorain Police Department made a studied resolution final week when it exonerated an officers who shot and killed a canine July 2.
Lorain police officers decided that Officer Elliot Palmer didn’t violate division coverage for capturing the canine named Dixie that was behaving aggressively towards him.
Palmer, nonetheless, did violate police coverage by not instantly activating his physique worn digicam as he stepped out of his cruiser to help in corralling a number of free dogs within the residential space whereas on patrol.
Palmer was on modified obligation assigned to numerous areas through the thorough investigation into the capturing and the house owners of Dixie.
Lorain police Chief Jim McCann hosted a information convention Sept. 7 and launched the findings and conclusion of the investigation in a 102-page report at City Hall.
Palmer was patrolling within the space of Oberlin Avenue and West Eighth Street when he observed 4 dogs working at-large.
Tammie Kerns and her daughter Mellenie Kerns had been trying to catch the animals as Palmer arrived at 710 Oberlin Ave.
The dogs’ registered proprietor is Tammie Kerns’ husband, Wilbur Kerns, who was on the scene.
None of the dogs was sporting collars, and the Kernses had been trying to restrain the pets by pulling their tails to maintain them from working free.
Palmer observed that Mellenie Kerns had a recent wound on her arm, and as a primary responder, the officer was involved one of many dogs injured her.
One of the combined breed dogs first approached Palmer as he instructed the Kernses to include the dogs.
The first canine that approached Palmer was pleasant towards him and confirmed no indicators of aggression.
As the ladies tried to corral the dogs, Palmer observed one, Dixie, was hyper-focused on him.
Dixie charged Palmer, who tried to sidestep out of the trail and again up.
However, Dixie modified path and continued to cost.
Palmer shot Dixie 4 occasions, and she or he died on the scene.
One would anticipate quite a lot of emotion ensuing from the incident.
And there was.
The house owners of the dogs and a number of residents turned unruly and threatened Palmer, who was instructed to depart the scene to calm the indignant group of individuals after he known as for help from different officers.
The investigation concluded Palmer acted in an inexpensive vogue as a result of the canine was a menace.
Palmer has a protracted historical past of pet possession and was attacked by a canine earlier this yr whereas on obligation bringing in a stray canine on a leash.
A canine chunk to Palmer’s hand compelled to take day off work.
Medical professionals instructed Palmer he was in jeopardy of dropping his hand as a result of an infection.
McCann additionally concluded a non-lethal technique comparable to a stun gun wasn’t used to include the dogs as a result of it’s tough to precisely shoot the prongs into an individual efficiently, let alongside a working canine.
McCann additionally touched on the damaging aftermath that included loss of life threats towards Palmer, which led to the town having to deactivate his e mail tackle.
Palmer’s household additionally obtained loss of life threats, which mustn’t have occurred.
And, McCann is unmovable about permitting his officers to be threatened.
The threats are uncalled for and cowardly.
This is a really emotional ordeal for the Kerns household, who instructed Morning Journal reporter Lauren Hoffman on Sept. 7 they didn’t wish to remark at the moment.
However, a deep dive into the probe revealed that Tammie Kerns has a historical past of irresponsible animal possession in accordance with a 2009 case the place a decide ordered her to don’t have any extreme pets because of well being code violations present in her home throughout an investigation by the Lorain County Children’s Services.
There had been points with the Kernses having too many pets of their home in addition to unhealthy dwelling circumstances, comparable to extreme trash, pet feces and urine.
At that point, there have been greater than 10 dogs dwelling within the residence along with a number of cats and birds.
The investigative report additionally detailed that minor kids had been faraway from the household home for baby endangerment however had been returned after the household agreed and abided by the phrases of sentencing.
McCann is correct that the general public was blinded by emotion primarily based on their love for animals.
And Palmer did specific the complete scenario is regrettable and he feels horrible for Dixie’s household.
The Lorain Police Department is snug with its resolution, and now the individuals should settle for it.
It’s time to heal from this unlucky incident.
