People get them thinking they’re badass and don’t bother training them. They can be very stubborn breeds, as most terriers are. And then the idiots just let them maul people’s pets and act shocked when the fucking things get shot or maced in response.

They’re also very popular with chuds here

People buy these dogs the same way they buy guns, in the hope that one day they’ll be able to shoot and kill someone without any legal repercussions. Then they are surprised when it backfires and the dog attacks them. 80% of people who own pit bulls are basically people who mistreat a dangerous animal instead of being responsible owners and doing the safety things necessary to own a pit bull.

I have a family friend who had a pit bull since he was a puppy (he died of old age some years ago). He was very aggressive towards strangers, but once he got to know the person, he practically didn’t care and, if he really liked the person, he would try to play with them like any dog does.