Any animal is potentially dangerous. Pits are currently the most mishandled beast alive, way too many are in the hands of people who want to make them 'tough' and mean. They're already tough, they don't need aggression on top of it, but if you treat them badly enough you can definitely bring out aggression in them just like you can any other dog.
Pre WWII Pits were the most popular breed of dog, except they were usually called Terriers rather than Pit Bulls. Petey from Our Gang was a Pit. They didn't develop this horrible rep until they got popular with gang bangers and there were suddenly 5 million loose pits in every hood looking for something to eat. Every other redneck and gangsta thinks they're Pit Bull breeders and turns them out by the dozen then let's them out on the street once they lose a fight or they go to jail.
Pits by inclination are very VERY people friendly, more so than most large breeds. Like any other large breed, they're very dangerous when mistreated. I believe a person should have to be licensed to own any large breed dog, just like I believe a person should have to be licensed to have a kid. Many people just don't have the intelligence and necessary personal development to have that kind of responsibility.
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