"Several neighbors said the dogs had never been a problem before and were surprised they went after the baby."
The same was said by the owners of a pitbull in my neighborhood (and affirmed by their friends) when my son was attacked by it.
It is not the breeds fault that people are not watching their kids. The parents of the baby should have known better than to let a strange dog near the child.
And you should have been watching your child more carefully. I realize that accidents happen- but don't blame the dog because you can't keep track of your child.
You obviously don't know the history of the breed. Pit Bulls were bred starting in the 1990's for fighting other dogs. But- not to turn on humans. The owners of the dogs and a judge would be in the ring with the dogs during the fight. Any dog that lashed out at the owners or the judge would be put down.
I have two pit bulls that are WONDERFUL around kids- but I won't turn my back on them. Dogs cannot be trusted. No matter what breed. Just like humans can't be trusted to watch their own children- because if something happens to the child they blame everyone but themselves.