Search Strategies

4 publications that sparked an interest in me. . .

• Mikkola, S., Salonen, M., Puurunen, J., Hakanen, E., Sulkama, S., Araujo, C., & Lohi, H. (2021).Aggressive behaviour is affected by demographic, environmental and behavioural factors in purebreddogs. Scientific Reports, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-88793-5

• Hawes, S. M., Hupe, T., & Morris, K. N. (2020). Punishment to Support: The Need to Align AnimalControl Enforcement with the Human Social Justice Movement. Animals, 10(10), 1902.https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10101902

• Guenther, K. M. (2019). “Taking the ghetto out of the dog:” reproducing inequality in pit bull rescue.Ethnic and Racial Studies, 43(10), 1795–1812. https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2019.1665695

• Bailey, C. M., Hinchcliff, K. M., Moore, Z., & Pu, L. L. Q. (2020). Dog Bites in the United Statesfrom 1971 to 2018: A Systematic Review of the Peer-Reviewed Literature. Plastic & ReconstructiveSurgery, 146(5), 1166–1176. https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.00000000000072532.

My search strategy was to use the Scopus since I had a good amount of relevant information generate after completing the Citation Database exercise. That assignment was insightful as it helped me realize that while I do want to complete research on whistleblowers, that topic needs way more structure and organization than what I can allow. That is why I changed topics along with finding it easier to engage with a topic that I am currently more passionate about. Therefore, using the Scopus was the ideal platform for me to use by searching all the fields for “breed-specific legislation”. I did not find any keywords that went wrong as the keyword that was used narrowed my scope for that specific search.For additional words to use in the future, I think some terms would be based around the area the statistical research of both pitbull, pitbull-like specific and general breeds of: 1) dog bites, 2) euthanasia rates, 3) impound rates for Dallas County, and 4) pitbull and pitbull-like characteristics.

---

I found all the journals interesting because it is all based around the demographics and factors that do /could play a role in aggressive behaviors. This will tie into the topic of my paper that speaks on what demographics are possibly being targeted and if this is a way of oppression within those demographics.How there is a need for statics to backup if a specific breed is “inherently” aggressive and just too dangerous for one’s safety. By having these currently published journals, it will help support my discussion within my paper. While older research is great, as we all know, things can change in a year (i.e.COVID-19), so having up-to-date information will validate my argument.This does lead me to more questions of, “should I still to solely the Dallas County for the majority of my information or should I make it broader?”. I also wonder if I can find out if this is targeting specific demographics and is race involved too or is it coincidental? While I maintain an open mind to the possibility of both, I think it would be interesting to see from a non-biased point-of-view if there is a certain target being attacked. I, as a pitbull and bully owner, use to live in Pleasant Grove and purposely chose this breed for mine and my children’s safety and security. For example, we had a high-speed chase in our alley and my dogs scared off the perpetrator who attempted to jump in our backyard. When drug dealers would come to our neighbor’s house, they would be at the window deadlocked on them. This would make me feel safe that I know my fur baby would do anything to protect us. From these kinds of situational experiences is why I believe pitbulls and pitbull-like breeds are misunderstood and need to be judge based on other factors not the breed alone.

discussion within my paper. While older research is great, as we all know, things can change in a year (i.e.COVID-19), so having up-to-date information will validate my argument.This does lead me to more questions of, “should I still to solely the Dallas County for the majority of myinformation or should I make it broader?”. I also wonder if I can find out if this is targeting specificdemographics and is race involved too or is it coincidental? While I maintain an open mind to thepossibility of both, I think it would be interesting to see from a non-biased point-of-view if there is acertain target being attacked. I, as a pitbull and bully owner, use to live in Pleasant Grove and purposelychose this breed for mine and my children’s safety and security. For example, we had a high-speed chasein our alley and my dogs scared off the perpetrator who attempted to jump in our backyard. When drugdealers would come to our neighbor’s house, they would be at the window deadlocked on them. Thiswould make me feel safe that I know my fur baby would do anything to protect us. From these kinds ofsituational experiences is why I believe pitbulls and pitbull-like breeds are misunderstood and need to bejudge based on other factors not the breed alone.