Pit bulls are a fighting dogs bred to kill. Is it a Stockholm syndrome to think they are nice? World would be safer without them since people have them as a weapon. In the military guarding inside the hangars is OK.
Caucasian Ovcharka might be the defense against that kind of neighbours. That type of dog can protect the owner a little bit too good, though.
it is not a Stockholm Syndrome to not demonize an entire breed of dog. Babyface is a Doberman and when I was a kid they were vilified as attacking their own masters and attacking others. They were the "badass" breed along with the Boxer and the German Shepard.
I have rescued two Pitbulls from shelters. They were very fine animals and I was quite comfortable they would not harm me or anyone, and they did not. As a general rule I don't trust dogs I don't know. I also don't trust every person I come across.
Agreed, Pit Bulls, Dobermans, Rottweilers, etc all are exceptional animals. None are "bred" to fight, but they are intelligent and in the hands of muppet, irresponsible owners, they can all do harm. PitBulls especially because they have extremely strong jaws.
There are heaps of rescued PBulls that become dear family pets and deservedly so. Like too many kids, there's no such thing as a bad dog, only a bad dog owner (parent).
On a personal note, we lost a beloved Weimaraner to a Pit Bull from an irresponsible muppet neighbor. He prevailed in the altercation, but the Vet said he later died from the shock and trauma. Broke our hearts for years. Regrettably Animal Control destroyed the Pit Bull and not the owner 
Agreed. It is appalling that so many owners are so irresponsible.
I had a German Shepherd when I was a young kid, and she was extremely gentle with lots of neighborhood kids playing with her.
Sustained in-breeding can promote mental disabilities, just as with humans. But humans should recognize if their animal is dangerous, and if so, control it -- and, if not controllable, keep it segregated from or if necessary put it down. I hate that people encourage their dogs to be aggressive to people or other animals.
This owner has a real liability problem because they had prior knowledge of the dog's instability/violence.
