Does anyone own or have experience owning pit bulls?

[MicheC]

Okay, now I know pit bulls have a bad reputation and are considered dangerous, BUT I'm considering adopting one. I have never feared them. When I was 13 years old some guy in the park was selling puppies and giving away the adults for free. Me and my friend just had to beg the man to let me have one. He told me the dog used to be a fighting dog (She had fresh wounds on her face because apparently she attacks any dog in site and he'd have to speak with my parents. I lied and said my mom didn't mind knowing she hated pit bulls. This guy gave in and gave me his 4 year old female pit bull, Missy. Yes, a grown as man gave a child a female pit bull that had been used for fighting. As I walked her home she tried to attack several dogs, but she was so sweet towards people. I brought her home and my mom was terrified and had me put her in the backyard while she pretty much went off of me. I begged and begged if we could keep her, but she wasn't comfortable with it. She said we hadn't known her's history and shouldn't have a dog that has any aggressive behavior. A few days later she called the animal shelter come get the dog and the rest is history. I only hope that someone adopted her and she wasn't euthanized. I still think about that and regret bringing her home. I was trying to save her and probably did more damage.

ANYWAY Idk why, but something in me just thinks these dogs are beautiful. My boyfriend's cousin pretty much adopted his sisters pit bulls after she passed and treats them like crap, kicking them, makes them stay under the bed all day, beats them with a broomstick, doesn't give them chew toys, doesn't clip their nails, and just treats them terribly. They fear him completely. When he walks in the room, they hide. They hid from me at one point, but eventually I got them comfortable with me, especially Hazel. IDK maybe I tend to step out of line, but I could not help, but to tell him I did not think he was treating the dogs properly. Of course he became offended and told me they weren't my dogs. I told him, "It doesn't matter, they can't speak so I will speak for them and your behavior towards them is abusive and cruel". That was that, but now he seems to "act" as if he's treating them well and doesn't treat them badly in front of me period. I bring them dog bones, toys, treats, etc (They haven't had these things in over a year since their original owner died)... And she seems like a completely different dog than when I initially met her. Hazel pops out when she hears me coming, jumps on me, licks me, whines when I'm leaving, etc... The other dog, Atlanta, likes me, but I can tell she's not used to being treated kindly and doesn't trust me. Atlanta, would much rather sit under the bed until I bring out a bone to give to Hazel and take it from her. Hazel is the submissive one, she never growls and never walks in front of me unless it's to go outside (which she rarely gets to do, but gets beaten if she craps in the house smh). Anyway, the cousin apparently ask my boyfriend if I wanted to have Hazel since I spend hours with her about 3 times a week and feel he treats her badly. I know he looks at them as a burden because he feels he has to keep his sister's dogs since she passed. I am actually considering it, but I just do not know if it will be the best idea, especially with her being abused and all. I have just grown so close to her I forgot she's not my dog sometimes. What would you all do? I'm so confused. I'm gonna add a pic of her too...

Sorry for this long post... I know this is a ball python website, but there are such a variety of people on here with so many interests lol.