First, and most importantly, words cannot begin to properly express the sorrow we feel for Justin Clinton's family.  Justin's death is truly gut wrenching.  No parent should ever have to lose a child under these circumstances.  As a parent, I believe no parent should have to lose a child, at all.

At the Humane Society of Northeast Texas, as is likely the case all around the nearby community, there was a great deal of talk today about this horrible tragedy.  As caregivers for animals of all breeds, it is so difficult for us to fathom why, from what we have seen reported in the media, two seemingly otherwise gentle animals would suddenly attack in such a horrific manner.  Likewise, as Interim Director of the Humane Society of Northeast Texas, I've been asked many times throughout the day my opinion on specific breeds and their tendencies to act in such an aggressive manner.  There have been many studies conduced on Pit Bulls vs. Golden Retreivers vs. Beagles, and so on.  The vast majority of those studies have shown that Pit Bulls are no more aggressive than any other breed of dog, given the same circumstances.

I could go on with data and details, citing one study versus the next, but in all honestly, we can have that discussion another time.  What is most important right now is that an innocent member of our community has lost his life, and each of us in the community, whether we be parents, children, co-workers, relatives, neighbors, school teachers, animal advocates, or anything else, express our love and support to the Clinton family.  Regardless of the breed of dog that has mauled Justin, the loss of this child is nothing short of monstrous.

To the Clinton family, on behalf of the Humane Society of Northeast Texas, I would like to express our utmost sympathies to you in this very difficult time.  The untimely death of a child is always a tragedy, and when that death is at the hand of man's best friend, it is even more unspeakably tragic.  Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Rhonda Spitler

Interim Director

Humane Society of Northeast Texas