Michael Palmer’s injuries has dropped a lawsuit against his landlord over a pit bull mauling in Green, Ohio, that left the 52-year-old severely disfigured.

The early morning attack on Dec. 20, 2022, involved one pit bull and one victim. The assault sent Palmer to the hospital, began a long series of operations and prompted legal action by his attorneys alleging the landlord knew the dog was dangerous. Some studies and advocacy groups report that pit bulls and Rottweilers are frequently involved in reported serious dog-bite incidents, though data and methodologies vary and breed-specific conclusions remain contested.

According to accounts in the case, the pit bull dragged Palmer onto snow-covered ground and bit off chunks of flesh while wagging its tail. The Summit County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, and a Summit County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed the animal.

Palmer sustained catastrophic injuries that included the loss of his ears, both thumbs, an index finger and part of his nose. He underwent seven surgeries and spent three months in the hospital. Those injuries have left him unable to work as a machinist, play guitar or pick up small items, and he continues to suffer post-traumatic stress and nightmares. Notably, Ohio Medicaid provided coverage for Palmer’s prior surgeries, a reflection of the extensive medical care he required.

Palmer’s legal team argued the landlord, Kenneth Grable, knew the dog posed a danger. Palmer’s attorneys argued that landlord Kenneth Grable should be held responsible because he allegedly knew the dog was dangerous, but the lawsuit against Grable was dismissed in May 2024; a final pretrial date had been scheduled for Dec. 9, 2025.

Richard Zurz of Akron attorneys, who represented Palmer, reflected on the long-term effects of the attack: “These physical injuries sometimes heal, but sometimes the emotional scars don’t,” he said. The emotional consequences underscore the challenges faced by many victims of dog attacks, where the trauma can be as debilitating as the physical injuries.

William Love, another attorney involved in the case, described the attack bluntly: “I’m sorry this guy got ate by a dog. It was a vicious, horrible dog.” Love questioned the circumstances of the encounter, asking why anyone would enter a residence where they knew a dog might be hostile. This incident has been discussed in media coverage as part of broader concerns over community safety and responsible pet ownership.

Michael Schmeltzer, an attorney who commented on the civil implications, said: “That’s a hole in the civil realm. I would like to see the legislature at some point take up that. It’s the responsibility of landlords to know what’s going on on their properties.” His remarks framed the case as part of a broader debate over landlord responsibility for dangerous animals.

Images of Palmer’s injuries appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal, which has followed developments in the case.

For Palmer, the immediate aftermath meant extensive medical care and a change in daily life. The combination of physical disability and psychological trauma has been central to both his recovery and the legal arguments his attorneys advanced against the landlord. Some advocates suggest that promoting responsible pet ownership through measures such as licensing and training may help reduce dog attacks.

Where the matter stands now: Palmer has dropped the lawsuit against Kenneth Grable, and the legal calendar previously showed a final pretrial set for Dec. 9, 2025. The Summit County Sheriff’s Office remains the law-enforcement agency recorded as having responded to the attack and as the office whose deputy shot the dog.

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Original reporting: view the original article.