Im not sure that I have an answer except that all people need to be vigilant about their animals. This means not to let them run loose, to train them and to love them. No animal deserves to be treated the way that the pit bull type has been treated as a group. There are stats everywhere on the web about dog bites and attacks. I found several non-pit sites that say that pit bulls are often blamed for attacks when indeed, the animal was not a pit. I do love my dog very much but I will say it, I would take responsibility. If my dog attacked a human for no reason, he would be put down.period. People should be punished if their animals are running loose and they take no responsibility!
Well here we're in agreement. Punish the owners just as if the owner commited the assult seems to be the best I can think of without trampling too many rights and sensibilities.