Editor’s note: In the aftermath of the death of little 5-year old Makayla Woodward and the serious injuring of her great grandmother, it is all the more important to address the problem of free-roaming dogs with legislation that encompasses all dogs, because “pit bulls” (and “pit bull” is not actually a breed) are not the only dogs that free roam.   It is the free roaming that makes a dog potentially dangerous, not its breed.   And breed-specific legislation has more than proven in this country and worldwide to be ineffective, unenforceable, and unconstitutional.

Please write the Union County Commission here and politely inform them that a breed-specific ordinance will not prevent further attacks but that a well-enforced leash law and dangerous dog (owner) law which includes an escalation in fines and penalties have proven effective deterrents.

From Fox channel 8 in North Carolina:

A county commissioner suggests banning pit bulls altogether after a pair mauled a 5-year-old girl to death.  

Makayla Woodward, 5, was killed and her great grandmother was hospitalized after a brutal pit bull attack, according to WSOC. Now Union County Commissioner Jon Thomas is intent on making sure something like this never happens again, reports the station.

Thomas told WSOC that he wants the canine breed banned altogether, but is looking for a compromise, reports the station. State law forbids banning a specific breed of animal.

Police told WSOC that Makayla was in her neighbor’s yard when a pair of dogs attacked her. Makayla’s grandmother was seriously injured while trying to save her, reports the station. Later, officers reportedly shot and killed both dogs.

Read this article in its entirety here.