Pitbulls have this reputation in Canada as well. I believe they've been banned in Ontario. I say, good riddance. Any dog breed is merely a group with selected traits within the larger species. This breed was developed for pit fighting. They don't signal their attacks; their jaws have frightening crushing power; they don't quit once they've begun an attack. They have killed ponies, far larger dogs, and plenty of people.
Of course a pit bull can be trained, but its lethal tendencies remain (it's somewhat like saying that a tiger cub can be 'trained' and 'tamed'. It can't, really. Once it reaches maturity it's not tame because of its 'hard-wiring'.)There's just no reason for this breed to exist.