Nick Foley being mauled by three dogs is a horrendous tragedy. Few can comprehend the physical and emotional scars he will live with his entire life. No child or family should ever have to endure that fear and pain. Nick Foley's entire community was wounded in that attack. 
   
While the Sunday story headline indicates this was a pit bull rampage, it could have been any breed. When it comes down to it, this tragedy is a dog attack about responsible dog ownership and not about a single breed.  
   
The reporters indicate how many people were killed between 1979 and 1998 as a result of pit bull attacks, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. What was missing is what comes next. In a combined study, the AVMA as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Humane Society of United States determined keeping track of the breed involved in fatal attacks may be inaccurate and, in any case, is immaterial. They agreed that what’s really important is what prompts any dog of any breed or mix of breeds to attack in the first place. As a result, the CDC no longer attempts to track the breed involved in fatal dog attacks. And all three organizations are on the record against breed-specific profiling.  
   
In this instance, according to your own reporting, Scott Sword was told his dog Petey was dangerous, but Mr. Sword did nothing about it. If pit bulls are banned, there is nothing to suggest that Mr. Sword - or any dog owners - would change their habits in any way. As a group of experts, we agree the concern for public safety should include dangerous dogs of any breed or mix of breeds and should not be specific to pit bulls. 

Steve Dale, “My Pet World,” Tribune Media Services syndicated columnist, Pet Central host program host WGN Radio; certified by International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

Cynthia Bathurst, Dog Advisory Work Group (D.A.W.G.), member of Chicago Commission on Animal Care and Control

Dr. J. B. Bruederle, DVM, President of Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association

Kathleen Heneghan, DVM, President-Elect Chicago Veterinary Medical Association

Shannon Greeley, DVM, Legislative Committee Co-chair, Chicago Veterinary Medical Association

Elizabeth Robertson, DVM, Legislative Committee Co-chair, Chicago Veterinary Medical Association

Sheldon Rubin, DVM, Past president Chicago Veterinary Medical Association

Dr. Susan Ferraro, DVM, Past president Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, .), member of Chicago Commission on Animal Care and Control

Gene Mueller, DVM, President Anti Cruelty Society, Chicago 
Jeff Armstrong, Founder Parents Against Irresponsible Dog Owners

Charlie Propsom, President of Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control, member of Chicago Commission on Animal Care and Control

James Borgelt, President Chicago Animal Shelter Alliance (CASA represents an alliance of Chicago animal shelters)

Wendy DeCarlo, Co-Chair Chicago Area Pet Trainers Association

Jamie Damato, founder Chicago Area Pet Trainers Association

Thomas Van Winkle, MBA, CABC, Director Animal Care League, Oak Park

Linda Gelb, President - C.A.R.E. Evanston Animal Shelter, Evanston