I agree with Wahoo24 to a point. ALL DOGS CAN BITE. A loved poodle may bite out of fear or frustration. A APBT or Rottwieler may bite out

BUT.....

"Studies indicate that pit bull-type dogs were involved in approximately a third of human DBRF (i.e., dog bite related fatalities) reported during the 12-year period from 1981 through 1992, and Rottweilers were responsible for about half of human DBRF reported during the 4 years from 1993 through 1996....[T]he data indicate that Rottweilers and pit bull-type dogs accounted for 67% of human DBRF in the United States between 1997 and 1998. It is extremely unlikely that they accounted for anywhere near 60% of dogs in the United States during that same period and, thus, there appears to be a breed-specific problem with fatalities." (Sacks JJ, Sinclair L, Gilchrist J, Golab GC, Lockwood R. Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998. JAVMA 2000;217:836-840.)

That is from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, not some animal control, pit bull hate group.

The statistics show that the "pit bull-types" and Rottweilers have a tendency to kill rather than wound.

You can find more information at dogbitelaw.com and specifically at http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/statistics.html.

The statement that Pitbulls and Rottweilers account for over 74% of dog attacks in the US is very inaccurate. Actually, it's the family-popular Labrador Retriever who is most likely to bite, not to mention all the small housedogs that are MOST prone to attack and show aggression. APBT's are among a few breeds, including Huskies and German Shepherds, that pass the American Temperament Test with an 83% positive rating, while beloved dogs such as the Border Collie (Lassie) dogs failed miserably with a 52% score. The APBT's that do attack are either poorly bred, poorly raised, neglected, beaten, or a combination of all of them. Some of the Pitbulls that attack are not even Pitbulls, they're mutts. People automatically slap the "pitbull" label on dog attack scenarios if the dog is about knee-high and weighs over 40 lbs. The fact is, APBT's aren't bred to be human-aggressive. When they were fought, owners exchanged them to wash each other's dog, and if any of them showed aggression toward a human, they were immediately put down. It's just thugs who get them because of their reputation who raise them bad that make their reputation worse. If you've never owned an APBT, then you cannot appreciate them to the fullest and don't have the right to talk negatively about them. ALL dogs have the potential to be aggressive.

Pitbulls and Rottweilers account for over 74% of dog attacks in this country. It's not a coincidence... I realize there are some nice ones, but the fact is the dogs ARE the most prone to attack people. If 90% of murders were committed by people wearing yellow shirts you'd naturally avoid someone wearing one.

My heart goes out to the family of the child. No child should ever be left alone with a dog, I don't care if it's a chihuahua or a great dane...especially if the child is unfamiliar to the dog. It upsets me that "pitbulls" get this kind of rap. Whoever did this story probably didn't even gather all the facts. The dog probably wasn't even a true Pitbull. They probably heard the situation, and the dog was automatically labeled a "pitbull". I have owned American Pit Bull Terriers (not "pitbulls") in the past, and I have one now, and they have all been very gentle dogs. It's all according to how you raise them. The APBT is victim of some of the harshest stereotypes I've ever known. I've carried 3-month old APBT's to the park for excercise, and people have come up to them and commented on what a good looking dog they were. Then when they ask what breed they are and I say "Oh, he's a Pitbull", they make either make ugly faces or become terrified. People are ignorant of how great of breed the APBT is. Do some research instead of labeling every "pitbull" as a vicious man-eater. That's like saying all white people are trailer trash, all black people are thugs, or all latinos are illegal.

Breed has no meaning to me - no child should be left alone with any animal - as adults, caretakers, parents, we owe it to BOTH kids and animals to not put them in a dangerous position.

My heart goes out to everyone involved.

Just ONE MOREvtg needless tragedy...stupid...

Yes, charges should most definitely be filed against the babysitter. This is clearly negligence. Everyone with half a brain knows unattended children, especially babies or toddlers and animals do not mix. I am not positive that this dog was indeed a pit bull because I have not seen it. I have known several instances of neighbors and media outlets misidentifying dogs as "pits," including Boxers, American Bulldogs, and once, even a Boston Terrier. I guess I would just like them to make sure before they add to the Pit Bull's already bad rap. That being said, regardless of the type of dog, these things do happen, especially if the owners are dimwitted,neglectful people, and sadly, a great many pit bulls are owned by these.

A child should NEVER be left alone with an animal of any kind. Kids love to grab and pinch/pull. My heart breaks for this family and the one who was babysitting.