Our daughter had two pits. They started fighting each other, she managed to pull them apart and she ended up in the hospital for two weeks and almost died twice. She put down the older one which broke her heart since the dog had been her emotional support animal for ten years. She still has the other one. Sigh. And yes, they can be sweet and loving. The one that had to be put down lived with us for two months because she had attacked a dog in the apartment complex.
Anthropomorphizing. The aren't affectionate or sweet or loving. As pack animals they are expressing submission and loyalty to the pack alpha which is you.
Until it decides to challenge you. The problem is that they are far more likely to challenge children for dominance in the pack, if not outright attack them as prey.
Most domesticated breeds have had those traits minimized. But idiots have done the exact opposite. And even dumber people don't know that it has been done or are just willfully ignorant.
I’m glad your daughter survived the latest dog attack. If she still has the pit, she is gambling with her life again.
I’ve been around and worked with dogs all of my life.
My advice to her; Get rid of the pit NOW unless she can find someone who has in-depth knowledge of dog behavior, and has obedience techniques.
She also needs to learn these techniques.
I would give the same advice to anyone before they get a dog.
As a side note, shock collars, beating, punishing your dog..... will backfire.