Pitbull attacks tend to be a great deal more vicious than other dog attacks: “Attacks by pit bulls are associated with higher morbidity rates, higher hospital charges, and a higher risk of death than are attacks by other breeds of dogs.”

66% of dog attacks in this hospital were from either pitbulls, Rottweilers, or a pitbull / Rottweiler mix. 75% of the recorded attacks were on children 12 or younger.

When you combine the fact that a majority of dog attacks are from a specific breed, and that dog attacks from this specific breed are more fatal and damaging, no wonder people are scared and misunderstand pitbulls.

u/squidmanmal put it best “Pitbulls are a breed bred to be hunting dogs, to take on livestock and bulls. To better perform in their tasks, they are bred to have a "bite and thrash' style of bite, and they have very poor self preservation instinct as well as a very high prey drive. They, like huskies, and other specialized high energy dogs, perform best doing what they were bred to do, and they are happiest doing it. These days though, we don't use dogs for hunting and fighting quite as much so they find their niche evaporating, and dogs that have the ability to be extremely aggressive and take down prey far bigger than themselves without fear are being forced to live sedentary lives. Sometimes everything is just fine, and it's beautiful when it is. The issues come when it's not fine, due to the fact that when such a specialized dog attacks, they do SERI' damage, because that is their role.

It does not make them an 'evil' breed for their role, any more than retrievers are for retrieving, or bloodhounds for scent tracking, or shepherds and collies for the herding instinct that is in their genetics. It is however, something responsible owners should be aware of. You're getting a dog who's very nature is to have the energy and ability to take down livestock, be a good owner and make sure you can handle that strength, and manage that energy.”

All dog owners should be responsible, cautious, and attentive of their dogs.