# A Terrifying Experience **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 15, 2023, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560 "2023-06-15T13:09:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/61 "2023-06-15T20:45:26Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > OP says it was a pit bull - if so, it would weigh about 30 pounds. That’s not even the lower weight, which is 35 pounds, upper weight is 60 pounds. > **[American Pit Bull Terrier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Pit_Bull_Terrier)** > > The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is a dog breed recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA), but not the American Kennel Club (AKC). It is a medium-sized, short-haired dog, of a solid build, whose early ancestors came from England. When compared with the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier is larger by margins of 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) in height and 25–35 pounds (11–16 kg) in weight. The American Pit Bull Te Accor... ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/62 "2023-06-15T20:57:52Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Why would a dog come when called if the owner just yells at it after doing what it’s supposed to? Yup. Never, never, never scold or otherwise punish a dog who just came to you. No matter how angry you are for whatever they were doing before they came. They’ll think what they’re being punished for is for coming to you. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/63 "2023-06-15T20:58:53Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Sometimes a dog can be turned around, but it was still unfair and foolish to risk someone else’s safety on the untested expectation that the animal would behave well when exposed to a stranger. > > And I don’t know if this person is really qualified to rehabilitate this beast. Well, she had a new, troubled dog she didn’t really know in the car with her entirely unrestrained, so no, she’s not. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/64 "2023-06-15T21:08:41Z")
I was kinda being understated for ironic effect. “Not qualified”, DUH! ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/65 "2023-06-15T21:16:40Z")
A fresh pile of dung will do. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/66 "2023-06-15T21:27:31Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > i knew a three legged chihuahua mix that would have reacted like the dog in the op if anyone approached the car her human was in People have a pretty clear idea of under what circumstances somebody’s allowed to approach / reach into / get into a car that they’re in. Dogs very often don’t recognize that set of circumstances. Their human’s car, to a dog, is very often considered by the dog to be part of their and their human’s territory, just as much as the human’s bedroom is to the human. It doesn’t make any difference whether the car’s in the home garage or out on the public street or in somebody else’s driveway. Some dogs are fine with casual acquaintances, or even strangers, reaching into the car while their human’s there; or even, though less commonly, while their human isn’t. But unless you know the dog well, it’s risky behavior; and even if I knew the dog well in other circumstances, I’d be watching the ears and tail and mouth and moving slowly. (Same thing for crossing a yard fence, by the way.) @Jasmine, if I have it right, didn’t even reach into the car, though the dog may have thought they were about to. But it appears that in this case even the dog’s caretaker didn’t know the dog well. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/67 "2023-06-15T21:31:16Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > I googled, “weight of adult Pit Bull”, and got: > > > This dog is heavy for his size, weighing about **55 to 70 pounds** (25 to 32 kilograms). He stands between 17 and 19 inches. > [@mordecaiB](#): > > That’s not even the lower weight, which is 35 pounds, upper weight is 60 pounds. Yeah, i must’ve read or converted it wrong ! Ignore me. As you were … ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/68 "2023-06-15T21:43:16Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Under the circumstances, I wonder if that dog owner is safe herself. If it’s a recently acquired pet and the dog has a troubled background, what assurance is there that the dog won’t turn on _her_? This! ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/69 "2023-06-15T22:51:06Z")
I’m going to read between the lines on the dog owner. Leaving the dog in the car for 5 minutes with the windows cracked was not life threatening. I suspect the owner knew the dog was a problem to handle and didn’t want to open the door without a leash. Opening the door was likely a guarantee that the dog was going to exit stage right in cartoon fashion. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/70 "2023-06-15T23:40:56Z")
+1 to Magiver ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2023, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/71 "2023-06-16T00:21:04Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > > [@kitap](#): > > > > …came straight to me and _shoved its **heads** in my hands…_ > > Holy crap! Was it Cerberus?? Stupid fat finger syndrome. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2023, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/72 "2023-06-16T00:35:18Z")
Jasmine, I’m glad you’re OK. That could have gone horribly wrong, especially as the owner did not seem surprised by the dog’s reaction. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2023, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/73 "2023-06-16T02:33:58Z")
No proof, but my own experience volunteering at a shelter in an area where many pits are willy nilly bred and acquired by people who do no socializing or training, a fully grown pitbull can do much harm. I didn’t like to hear of it but many were euthanized. It’s a sad situation. You’re very lucky you were not harmed. I, as well, worry for the owner. I wonder if a call to the local authorities about the event wouldn’t open an investigation and a check on the woman? At least to warn her. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2023, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/74 "2023-06-16T06:56:13Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > an area where many pits are willy nilly bred and acquired by people who do no socializing or training, Same experience here, but it’s not limited to Pit Bulls. Anything that looks vaguely like a Pit/Pit Cross/Boxer/Bulldog seem to be increasingly owned by people that can’t or won’t train them. We held adoption events where people were allowed to bring their dogs in and it was increasingly common for young women to show up with dogs that just pulled them around by the leash. They had zero control over them. I was in a pet store awhile back, talking in line with a woman that had a female boxer. Nice dog, I was petting it while we talked. Out of the blue, a woman who probably weighed about 100 lbs. and in her late teens/early twenties, was pulled thru two lines of shoppers by some kind of boxer mix. We had to stand in front of the female to stop him from getting near her. Everyone is a bit pissed off, except for the mix owner. She was smiling and asked the lady if she was looking to breed her dog because she wanted to breed her mix to raise some puppies. Totally clueless. Let’s just say the lady I was talking to was much more polite than I would have been. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2023, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/75 "2023-06-16T15:25:09Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Shouldn’t that be “rolled over onto his back”? LOL. Glad SOMEONE knows what I was trying to say. Pity it’s not ME. Yes, he rolled onto his back, demanding belly scritches. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2023, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/76 "2023-06-16T15:34:57Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > > [@CairoCarol](#): > > > > Under the circumstances, I wonder if that dog owner is safe herself. If it’s a recently acquired pet and the dog has a troubled background, what assurance is there that the dog won’t turn on _her_? > > This! Yes, this is what i was wondering. The whole situation sounds extremely unsafe. And a person caring for a dog like that should be very good with dogs. Which, it sounds like, the owner isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2023, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/77 "2023-06-16T15:40:38Z")
A very similar thing happened to **Mr Mallard** , who was bitten _on the shoulder_ while walking. We had tenants, and he was in the common backyard; they didn’t see him, and opened their door. The dog went from no reaction to attack very swiftly, and leapt about five feet into the air to bite. The tenants in question _were_ actually professional dog trainers, and they were working with this dog (which was a client’s), but it wasn’t ready for a test like that, and due to the incident it had to be put down. It was clearly an accident due to human carelessness (and the human was very sorry), and not the dog’s fault for reasons given upthread. It was the right decision, though: it was _very_ aggressive animal. That was a pit bull (or whatever: it had that kind of snout and build I associate with pit bulls), but the worst dog on our street is a great dane. Again, 100% the owner’s fault, based on my observations. Dog is being dog; owner is being violent and inconsistent. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2023, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/78 "2023-06-16T15:50:47Z")
That dog owner made a series of wild decisions. Seems hard to imagine the dog opening the door, but I guess it’s possible. But if a dog acts anything like that inside a car, ever asking another person to approach the car is completely insane. Christ that is scary. On the breed debate, one thing I will say is that I have two dogs who are extremely friendly and goofy, and nobody ever calls them a pit bull (they’re rescue mixes, a little pit bull and a little everything else). If they did attack somebody, I’m sure the person who was bit would say they were attacked by a pit bull, and not by a, say, German Shorthair Pointer with an unusually thick neck, or an unusually colored chow with a square head. The “data” about attacks seems a little suspect to me on that basis. Even though I will readily concede @Magiver’s point about “dogs that look like Golden Retrievers” vs. “dogs that look like pit bulls,” c’mon, how many “dogs that look like Golden Retrievers” with unknown and possibly traumatic backgrounds are getting adopted by completely unprepared owners at shelters? A dog that looks a little like a golden retriever and a little like a pit bull, if it is snarling and biting, is “a dog that looks like a pit bull.” ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2023, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/79 "2023-06-16T15:51:07Z")
Thirty years ago Rottweilers were the villains. I have had a couple of chow chows and they had horrible reputations. I almost never see that breed anymore. I’m also glad that you’re unscathed @Jasmine ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2023, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560/80 "2023-06-16T17:32:55Z")
Around the time Rottweilers were the “scary” dogs, the school where I lived (my mother was a teacher in a rural school) had a Rottweiler guard dog named ‘Soldier’. He was supposed to be super scary and went out on night patrol with the security guards. He lived in a tiny 3m x 3m cage with a kennel and nothing else. Concrete floor. My brother and I, aged probably 12 and 10 made friends with him, and soon we were breaking into the cage to pet him (and remove ticks). He was a badly trained dog but he loved us, the only attention he ever got. My mother would have been horrified if she had known, but we knew the dog. Avoiding dog violence is all about training and attention to the dog’s needs. We knew some of his needs and we gave them to him. Poor guy. In addtion to everyone, I am glad you are OK, @Jasmine [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-experience/985560.md?page=5)