Temperament is not the issue, nor is it even relevant. What is relevant is actuarial risk. If almost any other dog has a bad moment, someone may get bitten, but will not be maimed for life or killed, and the actuarial risk is accordingly reasonable. If a pit bull terrier or a Rottweiler has a bad moment, often someone is maimed or killed--and that has now created off-the-chart actuarial risk, for which the dogs as well as their victims are paying the price.

The humane community does not try to encourage the adoption of pumas in the same manner that we encourage the adoption of felis catus, because even though a puma can also be box-trained and otherwise exhibits much the same indoor behavior, it is clearly understood that accidents with a puma are frequently fatal. For the same reason, it is sheer foolishness to encourage people to regard pit bull terriers and Rottweilers as just dogs like any other, no matter how much they may behave like other dogs under ordinary circumstances.

Pit bulls and Rottweilers are accordingly dogs who not only must be handled with special precautions, but also must be regulated with special requirements appropriate to the risk they may pose to the public and other animals, if they are to be kept at all. --> Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada September 1982 to December 22, 2009

Over a recent 3-year period from January 2006 to March 30, 2009, a total of 98 dog bite fatalities involving 179 dogs occurred; 60% of the deaths were caused by pit bulls, and 76% were caused by pit bulls and Rottweilers. A total of 113 pit bulls were involved in these deaths, and they accounted for 63% of the dogs involved in fatal attacks. If the risk of fatal attack is normalized to Labrador Retrievers and Labrador-mix breeds (the most common registered dog in the United States), the relative risk of death related to pit bull attacks is more than 2500 times higher.

In one 85-day period from July to September 2008, pit bulls were involved in 127 dog attacks, 57% of which occurred off the owner’s property. In these attacks, 158 people were injured, 63% of them severely; 10% of the victims suffered severed body parts; and 6 victims were killed. 12 In the same period, 128 dangerous pit bulls had to be shot to death by police officers or citizens. A closer look at these figures indicates that 1 person is killed by a pit bull every 14 days, a person loses a body part to a pit bull attack every 5.4 days, 2 persons are injured by pit bulls each day, and 1.5 pit bulls are shot to death each day

The unacceptable actuarial risk associated with certain breeds of dogs (specifically, pit bulls) must be addressed. These breeds should be regulated in the same way in which other dangerous species, such as leopards.
.--> Mortality, Mauling, and Maiming by Vicious Dogs 2011

Considering I have permanent damage from an AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD on my left hand after it attacked, unprovoked, I tend to hold the owner responsible for not properly seeing a genetic temperament flaw and not being able to properly contain their dog. I don't judge the breed of the dog. I judge the irresponsible owner and breeder who created the dog (and is, for the most part, responsible for the potential temperament of the animal. After all, you wouldn't breed a dog with a known temperament issue, would you?)

ANY owner of ANY breed of dog should be held responsible when their dog attacks and causes injury to a human being whether it's a Chihuahua inflicting a small nip that breaks skin or a Mastiff inflicting a larger wound based on the animal's size.

It's time we start holding owners of ALL breeds responsible for their animals' actions.

I agree with J. Register except for the known temperment issue. The temperment of a dog is due to the training or lack thereof by it's owner! Yes, any dog can inflict serious injury - and small dogs can do damage just a pit bull! It is the responsibility of the owner to keep their dog under control, and the owner should be held responsible! It is shameful for goverment to classify one breed and treat it differently from any other breed!

Dont Pick a Breed !! The fact that Pit Bulls are the main ones that are reported in the media does not justify the facts. The actual figures that are reported are mainly for the Pit Bulls, but there are just as many other breeds that are biting, but not being reported. Owners need to be RESPONSIBLE !!! Pit Bull dogs are very Loving and Very good animals, that are very close to their owners. My family each has a household with Pit Bullies and my son has 2 children that have grown up around the dogs they have never exhibited any agression with the kids.

For 100 years, the “Bully” was known as the “Nanny Dog”, strong, loyal, intelligent and courageous. Their main goal is to please their owner. Sadly the qualities of the breed attracted the “criminal element” which has victimized the breed. Because of their reputation, at least 6,000 pit bulls are put to death EVERY DAY, the highest number of any other breed. Before the pit bulls were being notarized as the most vicious dog breed, it was the Rottweiler, before that, it was the Doberman and the German Shepherd. Each time, people wanted to enforce laws to ban these dogs. Each time, this notoriety was proven wrong.
In temperance tests, given by the American Temperance Test Society, the pit bull rated as the second MOST TOLERANT. The most tolerant dog breed was the Golden Retriever. The least tolerant was the Border Collie. Remember "The Little Rascal's"? Check the stats: for every pit bull dog that kills, there are 10.5 million that never do. Hold the owner accountable, ~not the breed.