Sorcha, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT YOU HAVE PUT OUT THE NONSENSE THAT "THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A PIT BULL" OR WORDS TO THAT EFFECT. I shout because you did.

I was "raised" by a pit bull when I was small. They have remained a favorite of mine. The breed is properly called the American Staffordshire Terrier. It is larger than the British standard Staffordshire Terrier. IT IS NOT an imaginary breed and it has a STANDARD set by the AKC (American Kennel Club).
Quoted from the standard: "Should give the impression of great strength for his size, a well put together dog, muscular but agile and graceful,...stocky..." In "Simon and Schuster's Guide to Dogs," it is called the "American Pit Bull Terrier." "It will fight an enemy to the death,"... but... "a minimum of training will produce a tranquil, good, obedient dog with the ability to distinguish immediately the good or evil intentions of strangers."
Yes, they are powerful, but, like any other dog, can be easy-going if raised properly. Even small dogs can be loyal to a single master. One of our dogs is a Jack Russell Terrier. If I attempt in play to attack my wife, the dog attacks me!