ANY cat, dog, cow, horse or person can 'turn on you in an instant' - that's how critters (that can't talk) express their dislike of an situation: they 'snap' at you/ it. People need to learn to differentiate between a 'bite' and an 'attack'. One bite is NOT an attack, well, one small bite anyway. If it leaves a mark, but  not a 'wound', and is not one of many, then it was probably just a critter saying, "Leave me alone".

I really dont know if outlawing a specific breed of dog is going to work.  IT is usually the owner's actions that shape a dog.  I live in junction city and a man was walking his dog (not a pitbull) down the street when a pitbull came running out of the yard and attacked the other dog, causing almost $1,000 in damages.  The dog also bit the owner of the other dog when he tried to seperate the dog's.  The pitbull has been put to sleep because of it's actions.  I think if you train a dog to be vicious it will be that way. I have friend's with pitbull's and they are the most loving dog's you have ever met so it's mostly the owner's to look at

I say no way in hell . it all depends on how you the owner raise the dog. i got a 2 year old female. and she is the most loving baby you could have. people don't say anything about the german shepards!!!!! i got bitten by one and another tried to attack me. or black chows are known to bite. what about the poodle dam ankle bitters.......

Just a quick reminder, they are actually called Pit Bull Terriers.  Hundreds of years ago, terriers (believed to be the now extinct English White Terriers) were breed with bulldogs to form what we now know as the Pit Bull Terrier.  The terrier was chosen for its speed, agility and tenacity; the bulldog chosen for it's gameness.  They were breed specifically for bull-baiting.  Any aggresive trait shown towards man were continuously bred out to achieve a dog who was kind to man but would show the will to keep going back for the bull or bear.  

We have a 3 yr old pit bull terrier/rottweiler mix.  He is the biggest baby you could ever meet who still would love nothing better than to crawl onto your lap and lick your face.  Such a big baby that he hates to be left out of anything.  He sleeps inside usually w/ one of our 3 kids.  We also have 5 indoor/outdoor cats, one of whom he picked out as a young kitten to mother while we were fostering.  They are the best of buddies and are frequently found sleeping together.  Right now they are both at my feet curled up with each other.  We also have a bunny who frequently comes indoors and hops right in front of our "rott n pit".  We also have a cockatiel who likes to walk on the floor, again right in front of the dog.  He just lays there watching them.

We have 2 boys who have both been bitten by dogs.  Our oldest son was bitten on the face by a friends "mutt" when he was reaching out to pet the dog.  He had to have 3 stitches, which may not seem like a lot but on a 3 yr old it is.  He still has a scar and it's been almost 20 yrs ago.  Our youngest son was bitten several times on the backs of his legs by a Blue Heeler that belonged to our neighbors.  He was playing with their children on the swingset when the dog rushed over from across the yard.  He received deep punture wounds on both his calves that have left depressions on his legs. 

Our neighbors have 2 Chinese Cresteds who behave way more "dangerous" than the Pit or Rot.  One of them constantly charge our shared fence whenever we are out at the same time.  It snarls and barks and sounds like it's going to come right through.  This same dog got out and came into our front yard and bit our Pit /Rot, who was just standing silently in the driveway minding his own business. 

So which dog is more dangerous? Personally I think most small dog breeds are more dangerous and likely to bite than most large dog breeds.  Think of all those snarling little chihauhau's, toy poodles, poms etc. that are just waiting to take your finger off!  They scare me a lot more than some big ole gentle giant. 

Yes, they should be outlawed.  If you have ever seen first hand the damage these dogs can do to a child, you would agree.  Make all the arguments you wish about "responsible ownership", but the overwhelming majority of people who choose this breed are reckless by nature and quite frankly probably don't have a lot to lose.  And I agree, a small dog can be just as vicious, but cases such as these are MUCH less common than those involving pit bulls.  And most smaller breed can be deterred by a good kick, or simply picked up and thrown across the room by a nearby adult if need be.  Why do you think people don't DIE or aren't MAMED by chihuahua attacks?  What a ridiculous, desperate argument to make.  

Although I respect peoples opinions I feel that many people who target "pit bulls" are misguided. First of all most anti-pit and even many owners of pit bulls would not be able to pick out a pit bull from a line up of other similar non pit bull terrier breeds. http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Findthebull/findpitbull_v4.swf. Try it out, I guarantee you will misjudge the breed based it on its appearance. It's irresponsible for people to say that a certain breed should eradicated based on media coverage or a past experience. I was mauled by two German shepherds as a child who attacked me as I was walking by there yard. It costs my parents thousands and I still have large scars on my neck. Guess what, I don't hate German shepherds. it's an animal. I have been bitten more times by smaller dogs as an adult than any larger dog, Pit bull or not. Maybe we should outlaw all dogs? Just kill em all and be down with it? I can't believe people would be okay with trying to wipe out an entire breed. If pit bulls are going to be outlawed then all dog breeds should by outlawed and that will obviously never happen. I hate that people think just because they have a "family" dog that it can run anywhere it pleases. My dog is always leashed. I was attacked by a gorgeous retriever that came into my yard two weeks ago, minor abrasions but I'm a college grad student with no insurance. Also I think some people fail to understand math here, "Any popular breed is more likely to show up with more attacks because there are simply more dogs, just as a less popular breed will show up as having a higher percentage of attacks because there are simply fewer dogs" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_attack.
According to a 27-year study of dogs in the New York City area made by Dr. Robert Oleson, of the U.S. Public Health Service, these are the 9 dogs most apt to take a nibble out of a human being. They are, in the order of their aggressiveness:

1. German shepherd

2. Chow chow

3. Poodle

4. Italian bulldog

5. Fox terrier

6. Mixed chow chow

7. Airedale

8. Pekingese

9. Mixed German shepherd

http://community.kmtr.com/forums/4/4192583/ShowThread.aspx

Guess what you tiny dog owners, the dachshund, Chihuahuas, and Jack Russell terriers are some of the most hostile dogs out there. Dr. James Serpell, a University of Pennsylvania researcher who worked on the study, said smaller breeds might be more genetically predisposed towards aggressive behavior than larger dogs.Most research into canine aggression up to now has focused on dog bites, but researchers said that data (pit bulls aren't at the top of that list either) is misleading. Most dog bites aren't reported, and because the bites of big dogs are more likely to get reported, they are generally viewed as more aggressive.Now I will give that any larger dog can inflict more damage so it's okay that tiny dogs go around attacking people right? A tiny bite is just a tiny bite. It's America, speak up say whatever the hell you want to say. But people try to educate yourself. I am so tired of people generalizing things. I respect opinions from well informed people who educate themselves, even if it is not an opinion I agree with. Be wary of letting the government dictate which breeds are acceptable to own because according to CBS and other media news outlets these are the top most dangerous dogs and you can be sure that if pit bulls could somehow be magically wiped out then these dogs will be next.Also can the people who feel that pit bulls should be outlawed please explain to me which dogs would fall under that category? There is no such thing as a "pit bull". So I'm interested to see what you educated anti-pit bull people think would be the solution. I mean if your stating that we basically need a modern eugenics movement to eradicate an entire non specific  breed of dog I am sure you have made a well thought out opinion of what the solution would be aside from the enlightened views that "you would shoot it" really thought out, Bravo. As well as that would work out, and trust me how could it possibly go wrong? I mean I can then shoot any of those top aggressive breeds right? And those three napoleon dogs with there very tiny albeit sharp teeth? An eye for eye right? Also I'm glad your keeping up with the news, all those horrible pit bull attacks. How about these http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Articles/OtherBreedBites/AllDogsBite.htm. Also I don't own a pit bull, I own a wonderful "tiny" beagle but have encountered them over the yrs, I'm not biased just educated, try it. I don't let tucker off his leash, I don't leave him around children and I never trust him with other dogs. If a pit bull attacks that just the breed, If a family dog attacks thats just a rare instance that doesn't get any media coverage, but most people are attacked by family pets and most people do not own pit bulls. Leash your dog and keep him out of my yard, no matter what your breed is and I'll do the same, deal? I don't dictate which dog you can own, please don't dictate which dog I can own. Be RESPONSIBLE. I know its easier to blame a breed, but it doesn't even make sense. 
 
aggressive breeds according to study done by CBS

• Llasa Apso: can be cranky with kids
  
• Toy poodles: bite out of self defense
  
• Dachsunds: not very patient
  
• Rhodesian Ridgebacks: very dominant breed
  
• Miniature Pinschers: "big dog" mindset in little body
  
• Pekinese: intolerant
  
• Chihuahuas: prefer adults, not tolerant of kids
  
• Chow Chow: one-person dogs, bite without warning
  
• Giant Schnauzers: very dominant breed, will even challenge adults
  
• Old English Sheep Dog: very protective of owner
  
• Cocker Spaniel: very protective of owner
  
• Rottweilers: very protective

Typically gentle breeds that have "bad boy" reputations:

• German Shepherd: great with kids
  
• Bulldog: gentle, playful
  
• Rottweilers: can be gentle, affectionate
  
• Great Danes: gentle, affectionate
  
• Boxers: good with kids
  
• Mastiffs-very docile

"Pit bull" is a bit of a misnomer. There really is no such breed. Generally, "pit bulls" are a cross between a "bulldog" breed and a terrier. They are also known as American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
 http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/07/10/earlyshow/contributors/debbyeturner/main514774.shtml