NO WORSE PAINFUL DEATH THAN BEING MAULED BY A DOG. I CAN BARELY KEEP MYSELF FROM CRYING WHEN I THINK OF WHAT THAT POOR CHILD ENDURED. THE NEWS ITEM DOESN'T REVEAL WHO OWNED THE DOG OR IF IT WAS THE FAMILY PET. I BELIEVE THAT PIT BULLS SHOULD BE BANNED FROM THE US OR AT LEAST CONSIDERED A LETHAL WEAPON COMPLETE WITH LICENSES AND PERMITS FOR OWNERSHIP. WAY TOO MANY DEATHS AND SERIOUS INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED WITH THESE DOGS.

I agree with you about the horribleness of the death.  No one should have to endure that, let alone a child, but, as a pit bull owner (she wouldn't hurt a fly, I'd be more scared of our labrador), I can't agree on the banning or licensing of pit bulls.  Pit bulls may show up more in the news for attacks, but that's because when another dog attacks a person, it is referred to as a dog, not as a Jack Russell Terrier or a German Shepard, and it is always assumed it was a pit bull.  However, when it is a pit bull, it is always referred to as a pit bull.  This is the reason it seems like more attacks are from pit bulls.  I don't know what the numbers are on attacks, but I find it hard to believe that the numbers are that much higher for pit bulls than with any other breed.  They are less likely to be found in family homes, and less likely to be anywhere near children.  There are vicious dogs out there, but not all pit bulls are vicious dogs.  Mine is a sweetheart who just wants to eat and play like any other dog.  She's also really gentle.  Even if she is chomping down with those powerful teeth, I am still 100% comfortable reaching my hand in there to take the toy away.  As soon as she touches me with her teeth, she immediately backs off, and I have never even gotten a bruise from her, let alone been bitten maliciously or otherwise.

I think its funny that people just assume that some dogs are naturally mean. I didn't think people could be that ignorant. Oh, I forgot its Memphis. Anyway, do you really think this dog was born fighting? Dogs don't just become mean when they are born. Pit bulls aren't the problem. Its the people that own them and teach them to be mean and fighters. Thats the problem. In my old neighborhood, anytime I saw a black guy walking a dog, it was a pit bull. When I was growing up, every one of these kids would ask me if I wanted to fight my dogs. Thats the problem. I wish these dogs would turn on the owners that train them to be fighters. Those idiots that defended Micheal Vick should have been put in a ring with his dogs or had their kids put in there and see if they didn't change their mind.
  People, its not the dogs. I've owned and been around more dogs than I can count and the most naturally mean dogs have been cocker spaniels and poodles. Most "mean" breeds were bred to be protectors of kids and families. Many other breeds that are so cute and precious were bred to kill, but mostly small animals or vermin. So, before you start accusing a breed of being natural killers, do something that is hard for the majority of Memphis, and educate yourself. There is a crazy new trend that is starting in some places, its called personal responsibility. People should stop blaming everything else and put the blame where it should be, on the people.

Dogs are trained to be mean.  It is a terrible shame that this child had to die because of ignorance.  These dogs need to be outlawed in every state and the owners need to be fined.  I know a lady that was penned up by two pit bulls at a local store and only because of the Grace of God, she had her cell phone and called inside the store to her husband to come out and help her.  

I have researched this case in depth, and even spoke with the reporter, and the owner of the dog. And the owner clearly stated to me that his dogs WERE NOT family pets. They were guard dogs protecting his property.
The fact that this dog is a Pitbull has no relevance here. Any dog can be trained to attack and that is exactly what happened in this case.
Its a terrible tragedy what happened to this child should have never happened at all.
but until laws are changed about chaining dogs up like that, this will continue to happen.

I own a Pitbull and because she hasnt been trained to be aggressive, and she is not abused or neglected, she is a wonderful family pet.
Its not the dogs fault, it is the owners.

This situation is a horrible tragedy. But , the fact that these dogs were pit bulls is not the issue. I have two pit bulls and they are definitely NOT vicious. If you love them and take care of them, you have nothing to worry about. However, as with any dog, if you mistreat them they will be aggressive. On the other hand, because of the asssumption that all pit bulls are mean, they scare people away who might ordinarilly break into your house or try to do you any harm. It works for me.