Pit Bulls Rhetorical Analysis

My Rhetorical Analysis of "Pit Bull, Bum Rap?"

In 2004, Maclean's published Lianne George's essay, "Pit Bull, Bum Rap?" in regards to a proposal to ban pit bulls. Lianne George is currently an associate editor for Maclean's magazine in Canada. She has written numerous commentaries such as this one, "Pit Bull, Bum Rap?" for Maclean's and other publications like the National Post.
Lianne George begins with an overview of dog breeds falling in and out of fashion. She compares the current pit bull hysteria to those of previous ones including Dalmatians and Doberman Pinschers. However, the pit bull has been considered the meanest dog for the past two decades. George follows this with information about attacks in the past few weeks and how Ontario introduced legislation to ban pit bulls (and related breeds). She also brings to attention how the term "pit bull" is often misused to describe similar breeds, but not the true American pit bull terrier. George uses multiple animal
experts with in Canada to come to the conclusion that breed-specific bans do not address the real problem –- high-risk owners. She quotes Dr. Gary Landsberg, a Thornhill, Ont., veterinarian and president of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, by stating that any dog can be dangerous if not properly trained, socialized and controlled. George finalizes her essay with a brief positive history of the American pit bull terrier and the actions that are being taking to protect responsible pit bull owners.
Lianne George's commentary is part of some larger issues at stake. For example, is it against civil rights or constitutional rights for a government to ban certain breeds? "But the province's animal experts argue the legislation is rooted not in facts and expert opinion, but in media-generated hysteria." Also the bans are not solving the problem of violent dogs. The real dilemma is high risk owners. "…'people who want to breed and/or own vicious dogs will simply turn to other breeds.'" As stated previously, any dog can be dangerous if not controlled or trained accurately. Her article also extends to the idea of animal cruelty since the American pit bull terrier is the most ill-treated dog in North America. George realizes her need to address the public because as a Staffordshire bull terrier (ancestor of the American pit bull terrier) owner, she has suffered similar consequences to those of a pit bull owner. "Even though there are no recorded incidents of Staffies ever attacking anyone in Canada, the breed has made the provincial hit list." This means that Staffordshire bull terriers are also at risk to be banned from provinces in Canada. Even though Maclean's is similar to Newsweek, Lianne George writes in a familiar informal tone to address her audience. This tactic makes it easier to address those who are currently up to date with the pit bull hysteria and those who are new to the knowledge. She connects with people familiar with dogs by using a common slang term for Staffordshire bull terriers ("Staffies").
Lianne George does a great job at informing the public of the matter and addressing the stereotypes for pit bulls.
"…the meanest, ‘baddest' dogs in North American Pop Culture have been, without a doubt, pit bulls." Even though this stereotype exists, she challenges it by giving her own relation to pit bulls. "To me, Ahab, is a regular family dog: a joker and a couch potato, hungry for affection and table scraps, gentle and patient with ear-yanking children." She is able to state the real trouble and give information on what is being done to help the subject. "Currently, Canadian animal experts and organizations are lobbying for more comprehensive dangerous dog legislation – something that holds owners of all breeds accountable and doesn't penalize responsible owners of maligned breeds." I feel George is rhetorically effective over all with it comes to her essay, "Pit Bull, Bum Rap?" She gets her position across and leaves you thinking about what can be done to solve the
predicament.