Exactly. In my life, I have seen dozens of these dogs owned by, erm, ah...folks with something to prove. Seems like every ignorant, cruel, mentally ill waste of skin in my neck of the woods thinks owning a 'pit' makes him more of a man. Sorta like the redneck version of a sports car. ;)
And they go out of the way to make these dogs mean. I have heard them bragging about beating them daily to 'toughin' them up. Or starving them and making them fight each other for food. Or keeping them on chains in the yard and never showing them one ounce of affection or kindness.
Don't get me started.....It ain't the dog, it is the creep that owns it...shoot them first.
"Gun dogs" like labradors, setters and springer spaniels are bred to be "people pleasers"--companions and playmates and rescuers. Think of the herding dogs with their amazing tricks with livestock--the manic and brilliant border collies. Now, terriers of all stripe are bred to hunting, whether a rat or a person. If a dog is bred to fight, its inclination will be to fight.
If that dog is also strong and large, it'll kill children and adults.
It's the owners, all right. But it's also the dogs.