I know you're being sarcastic, but that used to be true and still is often true.
What's changed is that the breed isn't what it used to be. Pit Bulls have been so inbred for fighting that the breed as a whole is now hyper violent and unstable. Yes, there are still some good dogs. No, you can't count on it no matter how well you treat them.
Hmmm. Does that mean they used to be gentle? I suppose you most have meant less unpredictable.
So many dog lovers have become so feminized that they actually believe that "pets are people, too." No, they're DOGS.
In fact, it's because I'm so opposed to breed banning that most pit bull defenders tick me off so much -- their state of denial is the surest way to end up with breed banning! They deny that it is a breed problem, and instead try to blame it on the owner; if they really cared, they'd be on constant watch for and crusade against inept and piss-poor owners of pit bulls who pose dangers to the community.
Again -- it is very obviously a breed problem because in this case if the same owner had owned a different breed of dog -- say, a spaniel or a Pomeranian, the outcome would have been very, very different for this poor kid-no-longer, RIP.