The entire Mastiff community extends deepest sympathy to all friends and family of Diane Whipple whose life was tragically ended as a result of a vicious attack by two Presa Canario dogs. The reason for this public statement is because the media (newspaper and television), without regard to facts, attributed breed names to the killing dogs which are completely inaccurate and doing damage to the good names of innocent breeds. The killing dogs are not Bullmastiffs or English Mastiffs. The killing dogs were not produced as a result of cross breeding to Bullmastiffs or English Mastiffs. According to the 18 page letter written by the dogs' owner, Attorney Robert Noel, to San Francisco District Attorney, Terence Hallinan, the dogs that killed Miss Whipple are pure bred Presa Canarios. About the Presa Canario, the official standard says: Powerful appearance, severe expression. Especially suited to protecting, guarding duties and traditionally used for herding cattle and dog-fighting. Impetuous temperament. Low, deep bark. Obedient, reliable family protector, unfriendly towards strangers. The AKC approved standard for the Mastiff says: A combination of grandeur and good nature, courage and docility. Dignity, rather than gaiety, is the Mastiff's correct demeanor. Judges should not condone shyness or viciousness. Conversely, judges should also beware of putting a premium on showiness. Notwithstanding that the standards for the two INDIVIDUAL breeds, Presa Canario and Mastiff, respectively, want entirely different temperaments in their breed representatives, it is, nevertheless, good common sense to understand that every breed of dog known to man will occasionally produce an untrustworthy rogue or "bad" dog (this happens in humans, too). The facts surrounding the history of the two killing dogs involved in this tragedy are still unfolding, however, it appears these dogs may have been bred at the direction of men incarcerated in prison and that these Presa Canarios were intended for or participated in illegal dog fighting. If any of this is proven to be the truth, then it becomes quickly apparent that these dogs were horribly abused and exploited by man in inhumane ways to enrich man's pockets. If they were used in illegal dog fights, without dedicated rehabilitation by professionals they could never have been trustworthy in polite society. One of the dogs, Bane, has already been destroyed and the fate of Hera is still being considered. PUNISH THE DEED, NOT THE BREED. This is the only possible answer, despite how hideous the circumstances. Punish the criminals, the people who perpetuated the deed. If new legislation is needed to guarantee the safety of all of us, then make the legislation applicable to humans, not innocent breeds of dogs. WRITE, GET APPROVED AND ENFORCE legislation that punishes every individual who supports illegal dog fighting. Punish the owners who fight their dogs. Punish the owners of property where the dog fights occur. Punish the spectators who pay to watch. Legislate and punish the humans who exploit the animals for their own illegal and self-serving purposes.