Aspca Pit Bulls Analysis
Critical Analysis: ASPCA Statement on Pit Bulls
For the purpose of this assignment, I have chosen to analyze an online article on the official statement of the ASPCA on pit bulls and pit bull type breeds. The ASPCA is widely recognized as the first humane society formed in North America and today, one of the largest humane societies in the world (Zawistowski). As an experienced animal welfare group with a 150 year history, I felt this group would be able to provide unbiased and accurate information regarding pit bulls. By using a mostly Rogerian argument, the author sets the groundwork for an informative essay on the pit bull breed by providing the breeding history on pit bulls, the theories of nature vs nurture in regards to …show more content…
I will discuss both of these arguments in this critical analysis essay.
On April 10, 1866 the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was founded in New York City by philanthropist and diplomat, Henry Berg. (History.com staff). Since the ASPCA’s inception, they have contributed to the welfare of animals in countless ways including opening veterinary facilities across the country, enacting animal cruelty legislation and educating the public on humane treatment of animals (Zawistowski). The ASPCA’s web page contains many official statements and policies on controversial and other hot button topics such as cloning, mandatory spay/neuter practices and euthanasia. Among these positions includes a detailed statement on pit bulls and pit bull mix breeds. The article begins with a general overview of dog breeding histories and practices and does not focus directly on the pit bull but instead, on any dog breeding activies. It delves into the history of dog breeding for sport, job or performance and what breeders commonly strive for …show more content…
According to statistical data posted on Barkpost.com, pit bulls are the #1 shelter intake dog and the #1 most frequently euthanized dog in shelters for no other reason than overcrowding. Each year, 1.2 million dogs are euthanized in this country and of those 1.2 million, approximately 40% of them are pit bulls (Moore). Only 1 in every 600 pit bulls in this country will find a loving home (Prasad). Advocates, rescue groups, shelters and animal rights groups like the ASPCA are likely unable to be completely objective when it comes to these dogs who they often see abused, mistreated and dumped at their shelters only to ultimately die due to overcrowding. The emotional toll these workers must endure is unimaginable. However, as a pit bull owner myself, I worry when an uninformed or neutral audience is not given the full picture on something like the responsibility of caring for such a controversial pet. I cringe when I see pit bull puppies intentionally misidentified as “easier” breeds such as Labrador retrievers or boxer mixes in an attempt to find homes for less adoptable puppies labeled as pit bulls. I myself, was led to believe by my rescue group that I was adopting a vizsla mix puppy. As the owner of a purebred vizsla, I
For the purpose of this assignment, I have chosen to analyze an online article on the official statement of the ASPCA on pit bulls and pit bull type breeds. The ASPCA is widely recognized as the first humane society formed in North America and today, one of the largest humane societies in the world (Zawistowski). As an experienced animal welfare group with a 150 year history, I felt this group would be able to provide unbiased and accurate information regarding pit bulls. By using a mostly Rogerian argument, the author sets the groundwork for an informative essay on the pit bull breed by providing the breeding history on pit bulls, the theories of nature vs nurture in regards to …show more content…
I will discuss both of these arguments in this critical analysis essay.
On April 10, 1866 the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was founded in New York City by philanthropist and diplomat, Henry Berg. (History.com staff). Since the ASPCA’s inception, they have contributed to the welfare of animals in countless ways including opening veterinary facilities across the country, enacting animal cruelty legislation and educating the public on humane treatment of animals (Zawistowski). The ASPCA’s web page contains many official statements and policies on controversial and other hot button topics such as cloning, mandatory spay/neuter practices and euthanasia. Among these positions includes a detailed statement on pit bulls and pit bull mix breeds. The article begins with a general overview of dog breeding histories and practices and does not focus directly on the pit bull but instead, on any dog breeding activies. It delves into the history of dog breeding for sport, job or performance and what breeders commonly strive for …show more content…
According to statistical data posted on Barkpost.com, pit bulls are the #1 shelter intake dog and the #1 most frequently euthanized dog in shelters for no other reason than overcrowding. Each year, 1.2 million dogs are euthanized in this country and of those 1.2 million, approximately 40% of them are pit bulls (Moore). Only 1 in every 600 pit bulls in this country will find a loving home (Prasad). Advocates, rescue groups, shelters and animal rights groups like the ASPCA are likely unable to be completely objective when it comes to these dogs who they often see abused, mistreated and dumped at their shelters only to ultimately die due to overcrowding. The emotional toll these workers must endure is unimaginable. However, as a pit bull owner myself, I worry when an uninformed or neutral audience is not given the full picture on something like the responsibility of caring for such a controversial pet. I cringe when I see pit bull puppies intentionally misidentified as “easier” breeds such as Labrador retrievers or boxer mixes in an attempt to find homes for less adoptable puppies labeled as pit bulls. I myself, was led to believe by my rescue group that I was adopting a vizsla mix puppy. As the owner of a purebred vizsla, I