The Pacific Standard Magazine had some very interesting statistics and opinions about dog bites to report in their 2014 article “The Tragedy of America’s Dog.” The following excerpt highlights that compared to the number of estimated Pit Bull types vs. bites reported, Pit Bulls were actually on the low end of those to be considered dangerous.

“…Between 1965 and 2001, there have been 60 lethal dog-attacks in the United States involving a Pit Bull. Compared to most breeds, that figure is indeed quite high. There were only 14 lethal attacks involving Dobermans, for instance. But taking into account the overall populations of each breed measured, the rate of aggression among Pit Bulls is comparatively quite normal. Even low. During that 36-year period, only 0.0012 percent of the estimated Pit Bull population was involved in a fatal attack. Compare that to the purebred Chow Chow, which has a fatal-attack rate of 0.005 percent, and consistently ranks as the least child-friendly dog breed on the market. Why don’t media reports of attacks involving Chows eclipse those involving Pit Bulls? Because there are only 240,000 registered Chow Chows currently residing in the United States. And frankly, the broad-skulled, wide-mouthed Pit Bull makes for a more convincing monster than the comically puffy Chow.”

They also test with a much more easy-going temperament than most dogs. The American Temperament Test Society is an organization that records the results of their standard temperament test for many dog breeds. The average pass rate for all breeds is 83%.

Yet 84.5% of American Staffordshire Terriers and 86.8% of American Pitbull Terriers pass the test. This means they’re slightly more likely to pass than many other breeds and second only to Golden Retrievers.

The facts are decidedly in favor of the fact that "Pitbulls" are much LESS aggressive and more likely to put up with abuse than most other dogs. They just happen to be THE most common dog breed / mutt in America, so of COURSE they have the "most" attacks on record.

Personally, I can attest to this because we rescued our buddy Tyrion just over three years ago and he has been bottom animal in the house from the get-go. He gets displaced from his bed by our two cats on a fairly regular basis (to which he responds by sitting next to it and giving me mopey eyes in the hopes that I will rescue him from the scary kitty - nevermind he has three others around the house) and even when they play, he's the one running from the cat, who can even pounce on /pick up his tail without fear of reprisal. He positively LOVES kids, and the only thing they need fear is that he might just plow right through them in his excitement (I'll admit he's definitely not high on the clever or agile scales for dogs). It's just sad to think that he's not welcome some places because they ... (more)