Pit Bull Persuasion
Ann SaariJon SimsAllison Smith
THE PIT BULL
NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS
GROTESQUE
“ruthless”
“Pit bulls in Charlotte — status symbol or menace?”
GROTESQUE
“attacked without provocation by a pit bull”
“bad owners”
GROTESQUE
“leading the charge to get pit bulls banned from Mecklenburg County”
“pit bull attack”
“harm”
GROTESQUE
“pit bull attacking the dog”
“bad owners”
“rough”
Sharing facts will provide education to prevent any misconceptions about Pit Bulls.
Using the theory of Visual Rhetoric, images will change any negative perceptions of Pit Bulls.
App proposal to increase the Pit Bull adoption in Charlotte, NC
OUR GOAL
Myth: Pit Bulls are human aggressive by nature
Myth: Pit Bulls are inherently vicious
Myth: Pit Bulls are responsible for most fatal dog attacks
MYTHS
Registered Population # of Reported Attacks Breed % vs. Population
Approx. 240,000 12 Chow Chow .005%
Approx. 800,000 67 German Shepherd .008375%
Approx. 960,000 70 Rottweiler .00729%
Approx. 128,000 18 Great Dane .01416%
Approx. 114,000 14 Doberman .012288%
Approx. 72,000 10 St. Bernard .0139%
Approx. 5,000,000 60 Pit Bulls .0012%
19 th Century – Pit Bulls were created in England by breeding English Bulldogs and Terriers
1860s – Bred in England and brought to the US for herding, livestock protection and family protection
HISTORY
HISTORY
1898 – The United Kennel Club was formed and recognized the Pit Bull as one of the fi rst breeds
1914 – 1918 – Dubbed “America’s Dog” during World War I
Pit Bulls jaws do not lock and exert 1,600 lbs per square inch with their bite. Pit Bulls jaws do not lock and exert 235 lbs per square inch, which is lower than the average for all dogs.
86.8% of Pit Bulls have passed their temperament tests and rated fourth following Collies, Golden Retrievers and Beagles.
78 million dogs owned in the U.S. (4 million are Pit Bulls)
FACTS
Impressive stamina and staunch work ethicPit Bulls enjoy a variety of activities, including agility,
disc dog competitions, flyball, freestyle and competition obedience.
PIT BULL QUALITIES
SHELTER FACTS
60% of all dogs in U.S. shelters are euthanized each year.
60% of the total dogs euthanized are Pit Bulls.
30% of dogs admitted to U.S. shelters are labeled as Pit Bulls.
86.7% of Pit Bulls in shelters end up being killed.
Mission – Bring love and hope to all animals by ensuring the humane treatment of companion animals through adoption, spay/neuter and education
Vision – Create a world where there are no homeless and unwanted animals
501(c)3 nonprofi t organization“Space available” shelter to off er all animals the
opportunity of a safe and loving home (one gets adopted, another comes in)
HUMANE SOCIETY OF CHARLOTTE
Create an app with the Humane Society of Charlotte called “Pit Finder.”
Anyone who accesses an “adopt” option on the Humane Society app, will fi rst see a “Fun Stuff ” flash about Pit Bulls before the user begins their search.
“Fun Stuff ” will use Visual Rhetoric and facts to persuade the user to consider adopting a Pit Bull.
If the user continues to view the images and facts, the “Pit Finder” will pop up. The “Pit Finder” option will also be available when they visit adoption on the Humane Society’s app.
PIT FINDER
FUN STUFF
May also include following images…
FUN STUFF
FUN STUFF
FUN STUFF
FUN STUFF
FUN STUFF
FUN STUFF
PIT FINDER
If the user continues to view the “Fun Stuff ,” the “Pit Finder” will pop up.
The “Pit Finder” option will also be available when they visit adoption on the Humane Society’s app.
“Pit Finder” will search all available Pit Bulls at the Charlotte Humane Society
(Jon’s part)
TESTIMONIAL
Educate yourself with the truth
Share the truth with others
HOW CAN YOU HELP?