Argue for or against keeping pet dogs in large cities

1. For Dogs

Many people believe that dogs should not be kept in large cities. I disagree with them. They say that pet dogs should be banned because they are dangerous to man since they carry diseases like rabies and that they attack people especially young children. In addition they are of the opinion that dogs are expensive to keep. For instance they eat large quantities of food that could go to feed the poor and starving of the world. What is more many people spend large amounts of money on their dogs, even buying them beds and toys, taking them to doctors when they are sick, burying them in pet cemeteries when they die. Some owners even leave them their money when they die.

However I disagree with these arguments. Many animals carry disease not just dogs. In fact people carry more dangerous diseases than dogs, including rabies. What is more very few people are attacked by dogs and if they are it is because they have attacked or frightened the dog. As for expense what people do with their money is their own business. Finally there will always be poor in the world.

Let us now look at why dogs are good animals. First they are used by the police to catch criminals and to smell out drugs and explosives. What is more they are able to save people’s lives after an earthquake when they are buried in their houses. In addition dogs are used for security and to protect property as well as women and children from robbers. Finally dogs are used to guide the blind in the streets and to be a friend to old and lonely people.

For all these reasons I believe that pet dogs should not be banned form cities. (Words 285)

2. Against Dogs

Many people are of the opinion that dogs are great animals and that pet dogs should be kept in cities. I disagree. They say that dogs are good animals that help the police catch criminals and find drugs and explosives. In addition dogs protect property and guide the blind in the street. Finally they say that dogs save lives after an earthquake by finding people buried under fallen buildings.

All this is true, but it doesn’t mean that everyone should have the right to a pet dog in the city. I agree that the police, the blind, the fire department and security services as well as people who want to protect their homes and loved ones should have dogs, but this is a small amount of people and a small amount of dogs. What I am against are all the people who want them just for pets.

To begin with dogs are dirty. They foul the streets with their dirt and people step in it and carry it about with them. Secondly many dogs are dumped by owners when they get tired of them, as a result they become street dogs and can frighten or even attack people, especially children. What is more it is not right that so much money is spent on these animals when people in the world are hungry. The British for example spend more on their dogs than they do on themselves!

For these reasons I believe that dogs should be banned from large cities! (Words 247)

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Argument & Opinion: For and Against Dogs

Argue for or against keeping pet dogs in large cities

1. For Dogs

2. Against Dogs