Texte seul :

DEADLY DOGS

American pit bulls are trained to be vicious. They are owned[1] by dog-fighting enthusiasts, street gangs and drug pushers, who sometimes feed[2] them with live animals to make them more aggressive. The dogs, who have names such as Murderer or Scarface, are responsible for six deaths a year and even more injuries. It is estimated that there are now 500,000 pit bulls in the United States. The most ferocious and unstable beasts are crossbred[3] with German Shepherds or Dobermans.

The sinister tendency goes along with rising street violence and the popularity of illegal organized dog fights in urban areas. Pit bulls in combat will often fight to the death. The owners of the animals are usually no strangers to violence themselves : a dog in their care becomes as dangerous as a weapon[4]. It is common practise for drug dealers to hide their merchandise in special dog collars.

The pit bull is a short, muscular dog with strong jaws. It is descended from the fighting bulldogs of 19th-century England. Despite their frightening reputation, breeders[5] always insist that “pure-bred pit bulls have a calm temperament and an intense loyalty”. Pete, the gentle dog of the popular “Our Gang” series of the 1930’s, was played by a pit bull. Perhaps[6] Steven Spielberg should do a remake to reassure people that not all of them are monsters.

From Speakeasy, 1988

[1] To own : posséder

[2] To feed : nourrir

[3] Crossbred : croisé

[4] Weapon : une arme

[5] Breeders : les éleveurs

[6] Perhaps : peut-être que