ELYRIA, Ohio — After the arrest of a 21-year-old man in Elyria Friday night, a Pitbull from a nearby home was shot and killed by police.
According to Elyria Police, the man had arrest warrants for two counts of felonious assault in connection to a 2023 shooting that took place in Elyria. He was arrested around 10:50 p.m. at a home in the 1100 block of Melvyn Lane.
Shortly after his arrest, someone in a home near the arrest opened the door to the home and let out a Pitbull, police said.
The Pitbull was not on a leash, and according to police, it aggressively charged at an officer, causing the officer to shoot and kill the dog.
Stephanie Pannell is heartbroken over the loss of her family's dog, whose name was Coco.
"I just want justice for my dog, and I want them to release their body cams. And I think they owe my kids an apology," Pannell said.
Pannell said there was a void in her house. Friday night, next door to her home, was chaotic.
"I feel like they should release their body cam too, if the dog aggressively came after them," said Pannell.
Elyria Police gave a citation to Pannell's sister, "Dog at large, because it ran outside. Why would you give me a ticket and give us more stress, when you killed the dog?" said Heidi Venegas Solis.
Della Woody, who lives across the street, said she witnessed everything.
"I just started screaming and crying like, 'you shot the dog, why would you shoot the dog?' I just, I could not believe it," said Woody.
While News 5 was speaking with the family, who were overcome with sadness, Pannell's wife started feeling ill.
"The ambulance took away one of the pet owners who is having a terrible time, and she's left to try to hold it together for her children," said Woody.
Woody continued, "They need to apologize. They can't take it back, but they could at least put a little bit of hope back into these children that now are terrified of the police."
Elyria Police said no other injuries were reported. The shooting is under investigation.
The 21-year-old was transported to the Lorain County Jail, where he will be held without bond pending his initial appearance in court, police said.
