I'm sorry but if MY dog was attacking and killing something, I sure as heck would be beating the heck out of it trying to make it let go. When my neighbor's dog attacked (and killed) my cat, my mom was beating it sensless in the head with a 2X4 -- didn't even phase the dog, mind you, but I assure you the owners didn't care either way -- my mom was in her right to beat that dog to make it let go of my cat, who later died from the injuries the dog caused anyways. What would you do if your dog had hold of a child? Stand there and do nothing? What would you have done in the same situation?

As for the original question, staffies are terriers -- terriers were bred to kill small animals -- this means that they have a higher prey drive than alot of breeds. Owners need to do their research and understand that these dogs should not be let offleash because something may set it into drive. Dogs are set into drive by different things -- for terriers, it is often the movement of a different animal. Staffies, just like other terriers, can have dominance issues, making them more prone to dog aggression --but this is all in the hands of the owner and breeder. If the owner trains the dog properly, and the dog came from a breeder with very well-tempered dogs and lines, these problems should not arise. Staffies unfortunatly have a bad reputation -- they are powerful dogs that can be dangerous in the wrong hands, and it is very sad that the wrong hands are often where these dogs end up. In the right hands, these are wonderful, freindly family dogs who love children and get along well with everyone.