OK, I really don't see how people can be so idiotic. It blows my mind. Nevertheless...it is the OWNERS that allow this to happen. If the dog had been properly socialized and (most of all) properly confined...this would not be an issue. It is the owner's responsibility and the end result is the story that started this discussion. It's not really breed specific either. It applies with all dogs. Yes, the kid may have provoked the dog blahblahblah....it's still the owners fault the dog was running around loose.
The media portrays these creatures as the most vicious and destructive beasts on the planet. So guess who wants to own them? The kind of person who is attracted to viciousness and destructiveness.
In other words, exactly the kind of person who should never be allowed to own one.