On the basement bit, we don't know what the basement was like. It could be a kids paradise, with video games and pool table, etc. He could have been giving her a hard time, "Mom I want to stay and watch TV" type stuff.
The difficulty I have is that she was seeing warning signs in the pit bull, and went off and left the kid unsupervised at all. Warning signs of any kind in an aggressive dog breed is something you don't handle passively. She had two unneutered pit bulls? Was she a breeder? Then she should have known better.
There are a whole bunch of rules for handling the aggressive breeds that you don't need for other dogs. For instance, never pet them without making them obey an order first. Make them sit for their pets. Dogs like this are not like Shetland Sheepdogs. They take knowledgeable handling.
It doesn't matter if the basement was a luxury suite; the kid should be able to walk about his own house as he pleased. The dog doesn't own the place. As for him giving her a hard time, it sounds as if the dog was giving her an even harder time. Ultimately, the kid paid with his life for his mother's selfishness and stupidity.
Add another rule. If you can't control your dog at all times, get rid of it. Especially if you have children.
Ohhh, Disneyworld downtown I'm sure. Perhaps after affording all of the "kids paradise" accoutrements she should have spent some of that money on a doggie shrink to mellow out the beast.
AAAAAAAUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!
What happens if there's a fire and your kid is locked in the basement while your away?
The woman's priorities was clearly the dog over the kid.
A disgusting "mother".
You're right.