TOSHIBA

Media or Pit bull?

English 2
Adelisa Mujcin
4/13/2011
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Table of Contents

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….Page 2-3

Genre 1…………………………………………………………………………………Page 4-5

Repetend………………………………………………………………………………. Page 5

Genre 2…………………………………………………………………………………Page 6

Repetend………………………………………………………………………………. Page 7

Genre 3…………………………………………………………………………………Page 8

Repetend……………………………………………………………………………….Page 9

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….…….Page 10-12

Work cited………………………………………………………………………...…...Page 13
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Introduction

While doing research on the topic of dog breeds in shelters being euthanized I came

across that the majority of dog breeds in shelters were pit bulls. I then did more research on pit

bulls and found out that “28% of Americans think the dogs should be banned” (“28% Think Pit

Bulls Should Be Banned” 1). Why would so many Americans think that a breed of dog should be

banned? In doing further research I found “48 percent of people say that they fear the dog”

(Miller 2) So then I began to think, is it the media that has made the pit bull into what many

Americans believe they are or is it really how they are. In most media claims they claim that pit

bulls kill and destroy lives, but we have to ask ourselves is it the owners fault or the animal?

Whether or not the breed has a soft spot in people’s hearts, to ban this breed because of the

negative media is despicable.

There have been many accounts where pit bulls have been portrayed as vicious and

disobedient animals. The media has made the dog breed into a feared breed of dog when in

reality the type of dog breed plays no role in how an animal behaves. “The majority of American

pet owners believe a well-trained dog is safe, even if it comes from one of the bully breeds”

(Manning 1). That is true, as long as you train your pet you will be rewarded with an obedient

friend. “It is predicted that there are over 10 million registered and unregistered Pit Bull in the

United States” (Balko 2). “There are on average about 11 Pit Bull maulings per year in the U.S”

(Balko 2). In other words, you have a 0.0000011% chance of being mauled by a Pit Bull. The

media wants you to believe that your chances of getting mauled are almost 100%. 0.0000011%

chance doesn't sell news papers.

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In the early century pit bulls were viewed as “good-natured watchdogs and family pets”

(Twining 2). In today’s day the media has “portrayed the pit bull breed as demonic,

unpredictable and savage in their behavior towards humans” (Twining 2). Over time pit bulls

reputation has just sunken because of the bad media frenzy and wanting people to think that any

attack made by a dog is by a bit bull.”They have gone from loving dogs to the most feared dog in

America” (Twining 6). A headline article in U.S. News and World Report stated that Pit Bulls

were “The Most Dangerous Dogs in America” (Twining 3).

“The attention directed at pit bulls seems to be more due to their trendiness and their

popularity with disreputable owners, not to any unique aggressiveness in the dogs' genetics”

(Balko 2).The problem is with the owners, not with the dogs. Ban pit bulls, and the “riffraff that

breeds and trains them for nefarious purposes will simply move on to another breed” (Balko 2).

“The overwhelming majority of people say that 80% say owners are to blame for most pit bull

attacks” (McCarthy 1). “Just nine percent 9% blame the dogs and eleven percent 11% are not

sure who is to blame” (McCarthy 1).

Karen Delise, author of the book Fatal Dog Attacks, points out there are” approximately

20-30 deaths caused by dog attacks each year (about the same number caused by fireworks or

contact with hot tap water)” (McCarthy 2). And these deaths are spread out among large dog

breeds randomly. Therefore, “labeling any breed as the "people killer" par excellence is a

statistical fallacy” (McCarthy 2). Dog trainer Michele Crouse believes that “it’s not the dog's

breed, but rather the dog's owner who determines the animal's aggression” (Zelman 2). "It's all

upon the responsibility of the owner and not what dog they have” (Zelman 2). "It doesn't matter

if they have a 2-pound Chihuahua or a 200-pound mastiff" (Zelman 2).

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Can you? By: Adelisa Mujcin

Can you look me in the eyes and tell me that I’m evil?

Can you watch while I get euthanized because of my breed and not feel sorry for me?

Can you honestly say that wouldn’t bother you at all?

Can you say that the media hasn’t played a part in the way you view me today?

Can you listen to my cries and not turn your head to even bother?

Can you say you think that it’s ok if I was banned?

Can you say you would be okay if I played with your kids?

Can you say you can walk down the street and see me and not feel intimidated?

Can you say that you’re not scared of me?

Can you say that when you see me you don’t try to hide your dog because of the fear that I might

attack?

Can you say you would be okay if my breed banished?

Can you say that I do not show love?

Can you say that you can watch me get put in a pound?

Can you watch while I walk into a dog fighting cage and watch me get mauled?

Can you say that you think that the way that I am treated by the media is fair?
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Can you say that I wouldn’t do anything to make you happy?

Can you say that you would trust me?

Can you say that you could love me?

Can you?

Note: I got the idea for this poem from poem that I once read by Lauren Livings.

"It is true that Pit Bulls grab and hold on. But what they most often grab and refuse to let go
of is your heart, not your arm."
-Vicki Hearne
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"It is true that Pit Bulls grab and hold on. But what they most often grab and refuse to let go
of is your heart, not your arm."
-Vicki Hearne
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"It is true that Pit Bulls grab and hold on. But what they most often grab and refuse to let go
of is your heart, not your arm."
-Vicki Hearne
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Conclusion
Whether or not the breed has a soft spot in people’s hearts, to ban this breed because of

the negative attention from the media is despicable. After researching about this topic it really

struck home for me. I realized though that it’s not the people’s fault. People who have never

been exposed to the breed would obviously think that they are vicious and heartless. I don’t

blame them, if I was put in a position where I’d never been around a pit bull and heard the

negative media towards the breed I would stay as far away from them as possible. But that’s not

how it is. The breed of dog is neither vicious nor heartless. The owner is.

I have come to the conclusion that if you train your dog whether a golden retriever,

Chihuahua, a pit bull or any other breed of dog they will be under full control. They will not act

out and do something wrong. “It has never been said in the media that a trained pit bull attacked

someone” (Manning 20). All we hear in the media is how the breed has attacked someone. “Even

if it is a mutt the media will say it’s a pit bull” (Balko 3). They won’t mention the other breed

that the dog is mixed with.

I have found out that pit bulls may have a tendency to be in the media for bad things but

they are not evil. “Pit bulls are sweet, caring and very obedient” (Twining 3). My paper was

based on trying to prove a point, that it’s not the pit bulls fault. I personally have more respect

for them then I did at one point because of all the stuff they have been though. In some shelters

because of their breed they will be humanly euthanized. There is nothing humane about that. If

anyone thinks that there is anything humane about putting an animal to sleep because of their

breed and because of the few dogs before them mistakes it’s just ludicrous. My second genre was

to prove this point, with a collage of pictures of pit bulls in their natural form. They are all sweet

dogs, man’s best friend, friendly, obedient, and caring. They should not have to go through all of
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that and that’s why I chose pictures of the dog as friendly and not vicious as the media views

them.

If the breed could speak I can only imagine what they would be saying. I decided to write a

poem from a pit bulls point of view for my major genre because I wanted people to try to get the

message that I got. Before writing this paper I could honestly say that pit bulls were just a breed

that I would over look. Wouldn’t ever go to an animal store or a pound and pick at pit bull. The

breed would probably be my last choice. But after doing this multi genre paper I have come to

love the breed without ever being in the presence of them personally.

I had never heard of the multi genre paper but doing it really opened my eyes. It is a very

creative way to get your creative juices running. It let me be open to ideas and let me have the

freedom to be creative and do what I wanted to do. I really didn’t have a limit to what I could do

and I could choose any topic of my choice. I never thought I’d write about pit bulls but when I

did research I was very happy to discover that I had more in common with then as possible. They

are seen to the outside as “intimidating, but are eager to please” (Zelman 2).

Some dogs are bred to fight and that is worse than anything. For an owner it is not okay to

watch your dog being mauled or mauling another dog. The worst of all is the poor and innocent

dogs that are used as bait dogs. I have looked at cases where the dogs have been so badly injured

that they could not be saved. I feel sorry for each and every individual dog that has to be put

through that. There have been many cases where many people have gone to jailed and have been

charged with animal fighting. For my third genre I chose to do a wanted poster for an infamous

person who is famous for his case regarding dog fighting, Michael Vick. Some people just don’t

realize how this will affect the breed. I don’t understand what goes through their head when they
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see their beloved pet in a cage fighting ring and I don’t think I ever will. A pit bull is so eager to

please and will do anything to make their owner happy and it’s sad but some even kill.

Work Cited

"28% Think Pit Bulls Should Be Banned - Rasmussen Reports™." Rasmussen Reports™: The Most

Comprehensive Public Opinion Data Anywhere. Web. 28 Mar. 2011.

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Balko, Radley. "Pit Bull Ban Punishes Dogs for Bad Owners - Opinion - FOXNews.com."

FoxNews.com - Breaking News | Latest News | Current News. Web. 28 Mar. 2011.

McCarthy, Terry. "Another Deadly Attack...Should We Ban Pit Bulls? - The World Newser."

Political Punch. Web. 28 Mar. 2011.

Twining, Hillary. "Society&Animal Forum - Society & Animals Journal." Society & Animals

Forum. Web. 28 Mar. 2011.

Zelman, Joanna. "Pit Bull Ban Proposed In Texas, 'Justin's Law,' Would Make Owning The Dog

Breed A Felony." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Web. 28 Mar. 2011.