Question

Which of the following is an acceptable counterclaim to the following thesis statement? Laws and housing rules that specifically ban pit bull ownership are unfair because pit bulls are no more dangerous than any other breed of dog. A. Areas without anti-pit bull laws show no lower rates of hospitalization for dog bites. B. More than other breeds, pit bulls tend to be aggressive toward dogs they've never met. C. Pit bulls are intelligent dogs who take easily to training and enjoy obeying their masters D. A pit bull's jaws have less bite force than those of German shepherds and rottweilers.

Answer 1

The acceptable counterclaim for the provided thesis is that pit bulls tend to be more aggressive toward dogs they've never met, which directly challenges the thesis by introducing the potential for increased public safety risk.

Step-by-step explanation:

The acceptable counterclaim to the thesis that laws banning pit bull ownership are unfair due to the breed being no more dangerous than any other dog breed is option B. "More than other breeds, pit bulls tend to be aggressive toward dogs they've never met." This statement directly challenges the thesis by presenting evidence that could be used to argue for breed-specific legislation on the basis of pit bulls showing more aggressive behaviors towards other dogs, which potentially could be generalized to demonstrate a risk to public safety.

Answer 2

The most valid counterclaim to the thesis is option B, which states that pit bulls tend to be more aggressive towards unfamiliar dogs, directly challenging the claim that they are not more dangerous than other breeds.

Step-by-step explanation:

An acceptable counterclaim to the thesis that laws and housing rules banning pit bull ownership are unfair because pit bulls are no more dangerous than any other breed would address the central claim by providing evidence that challenges the perceived fairness or accuracy of the statement. Here, option B, which claims that pit bulls tend to be aggressive towards unfamiliar dogs more than other breeds, directly counters the thesis by suggesting that there is a distinct behavioral trait in pit bulls that could justify breed-specific legislation, making it a valid counterclaim.

It's also relevant to note the importance of reasoning and logical appeals when formulating arguments and counterclaims. Like the structured arguments mentioned in your reference text, a counterclaim should present evidence and reasoning that challenges the original thesis in a logical manner.