# Cat saves small boy from dog **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 14, 2014, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469 "2014-05-14T21:28:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/278dde/32.png) [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/121 "2014-05-18T01:17:02Z")
I actually got just a teensy weensy bit choked up. Yay, Kitty! ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/122 "2014-05-18T11:19:54Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Tara was defending her property against a trespassing dog. “Rescuing” the child was not her objective. In my opinion. I love cats but I’m very cynical about them. They are generally just looking out for number one. But I doubt you are correct here. I’ve never seen a cat be so aggressive to a dog just over territory, when unthreatened. Hiss, sure. Scratch and bite if threatened directly, definitely. But that cat took it to a whole new level in terms of breaking cover and running at a dog while not under attack. I do find it a bit surprising but I find it hard to come to any conclusion but that it had become motherly towards the kid and so went for the dog. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/123 "2014-05-18T12:06:15Z")
> [@Ken001](#): > > Is it normal for a three year old child to be allowed to play close to a footpath and the street? Especially while obscured by a parked vehicle? That’s not a footpath, it’s a sidewalk. That’s what they are designed for, to protect pedestrians and children from street traffic. Yes, it’s normal, especially in front of the kid’s home with a parent nearby. When I was that age, we didn’t have sidewalks and I rode at the edge of the pavement even without a parent nearby, in a cul-de-sac street. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/124 "2014-05-18T12:43:22Z")
“Sidewalk” and “footpath” mean the same thing. And, depending on where you live, so does “pavement.” Regardless, it’s absolutely normal for a kid on a bike to be where he was, on the driveway in front of his house. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/125 "2014-05-18T13:12:22Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > I love cats but I’m very cynical about them. And they are cynical about us. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/126 "2014-05-18T14:52:56Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > “Sidewalk” and “footpath” mean the same thing. Not here, and not according to [Wikipedia.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Footpath) A foot path is typically bare ground or gravel; a sidewalk is asphalt or cement and usually has a curb. [This is a footpath.](http://doorbell.net/junk/DSCF3192.JPG) [This is a sidewalk.](http://www.stpaul.gov/images/pages/N3974//Mainline%20SideWalk.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/127 "2014-05-18T15:20:53Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Not here, and not according to [Wikipedia.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Footpath) A foot path is typically bare ground or gravel; a sidewalk is asphalt or cement and usually has a curb. > > [This is a footpath.](http://doorbell.net/junk/DSCF3192.JPG) > [This is a sidewalk.](http://www.stpaul.gov/images/pages/N3974//Mainline%20SideWalk.JPG) Apparently someone from WI or AR wrote the Wikipedia article. It appears to be a regional difference, like “Freeway” and “Parkway” or “Tollway”, whatever my Ex from New England called a freeway. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/128 "2014-05-18T15:59:27Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Not here, and not according to [Wikipedia.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Footpath) > A foot path is typically bare ground or gravel; a sidewalk is asphalt or cement and usually has a curb. That’s not what the Wikipedia article says: > [@](#): > > A footpath (also pedestrian way, walking trail, nature trail) is a type of thoroughfare that is intended for use only by pedestrians, not other forms of traffic such as motorized vehicles and horses. They can be paths within an urban area, or rural paths through the countryside. **Urban footpaths are usually paved** , may have steps, are called alleys, lanes, steps, etc., and may be named. Other public rights of way, such as bridleways, byways, towpaths, and green lanes are also used by pedestrians. And it also says this: > [@](#): > > The term footpath can also be used to describe a pavement / sidewalk in some English speaking countries. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/129 "2014-05-18T17:25:46Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > I love cats but I’m very cynical about them. They are generally just looking out for number one. But I doubt you are correct here. I’ve never seen a cat be so aggressive to a dog just over territory, **when unthreatened**. (Bolding mine) Nor have I, but in my experience it’s not at all uncommon for domestic pussycats to charge and frighten off much larger non-aggressive and/or unsuspecting canine trespassers. I think Tara’s one-step-further reaction was to this dog’s extremely violent behavior per se (a menace to one and all), and had nothing to do with the object of the dog’s wrath. For what it’s worth, I should add that I feel “pretty sure” about this, but by no means certain. The truth is, I wouldn’t mind being wrong. In any case, I hope Tara got a can of tuna and a complimentary litterbox cleaning that evening. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/130 "2014-05-18T17:37:10Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > For what it’s worth, I should add that I feel “pretty sure” about this, but by no means certain. The truth is, I wouldn’t mind being wrong. > In any case, I hope Tara got a can of tuna and a complimentary litterbox cleaning that evening. At 4:51:09-11, you can see the cat return to the boy’s side after chasing away the dog. After mom gets up to check the dog and the boy runs for the house, you can see the cat pause and watch the boy for a moment before joining mom. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/131 "2014-05-18T17:48:06Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > In any case, I hope Tara got a can of tuna and a complimentary litterbox cleaning that evening. Hell, she probably got a salmon filet, and her own room in the house. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/132 "2014-05-18T17:49:37Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Hell, she probably got a salmon filet, and her own room in the house. I saw a short statement from the father of the boy, saying Tara gets whatever she wants now. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/133 "2014-05-18T18:47:25Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > I saw a short statement from the father of the boy, saying Tara gets whatever she wants now. “Two bales of catnip will do, and a pool in the backyard to keep the salmon fresh. Oh, someone needs to turn my mattress. Gratias servus.” ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/134 "2014-05-18T21:56:52Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > At 4:51:09-11, you can see the cat return to the boy’s side after chasing away the dog. After mom gets up to check the dog and the boy runs for the house, you can see the cat pause and watch the boy for a moment before joining mom. Here’s what I think I’m seeing: Tara chases the dog to a satisfactory distance, then hastily (and wisely) retreats toward the car. We next see her moving to a safe spot on the far side of the tire which is most distant from the dog, and closer as well to home and the safety of the Large Biped Who Belongs In Her Territory. Then she follows LB in retreating to the house. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/135 "2014-05-18T23:27:10Z")
I’ve had 2 dog-aggressive cats. One of them actually lived with a dog and liked her just fine as long as she was inside. When he saw her outside, he’d go nutz. I’ve seen him go after dogs and he always stopped once they were out of his yard. I’d agree with your assessment **TreacherousCretin** but Tara hit the dog and it started running away. She then looked at her LB and went after the dog again. Dog-aggressive cats might be suicidal, but they are not stupid. Also, I’ve not heard any reports of her being dog-aggressive in the past. Tara is obviously an inside/outside cat, so if she had a history of doing this sort of stuff, I’m pretty sure it would have come out. This can’t be the first dog that has set foot in her yard. So, yeah, GO TARA!!! Good kitteh! ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2014, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/136 "2014-05-18T23:56:03Z")
As I said in an earlier post my 14 year old cat had never shown aggression for any reason. She always chose to retreat rather than fight. The neighbors golden retriever was attacked by a pit bull in the alley behind my property and my cat attacked the pit just exactly the way this cat attacked the dog. She was certainly defending. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2014, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/137 "2014-05-19T00:29:59Z")
A footpath might be paved, and a sidewalk might not be. However, the surface that the boy was initially riding his bicycle on, _as seen in the video_, is not called a footpath in the US. \* Anywhere\* in the US, by _anyone_ I have ever had contact with, _any_ state I’ve ever been in. It is called a sidewalk. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2014, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/138 "2014-05-19T00:50:48Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > A footpath might be paved, and a sidewalk might not be. However, the surface that the boy was initially riding his bicycle on, _as seen in the video_, is not called a footpath in the US. \* Anywhere\* in the US, by _anyone_ I have ever had contact with, _any_ state I’ve ever been in. It is called a sidewalk. AndKen001, a New Zealander, is subject to U.S. usage? Why not answer his question – like I did – instead of holding his words to inapplicable definitions? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2014, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/139 "2014-05-19T01:38:49Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > A footpath might be paved, and a sidewalk might not be. However, the surface that the boy was initially riding his bicycle on, _as seen in the video_, is not called a footpath in the US. \* Anywhere\* in the US, by _anyone_ I have ever had contact with, _any_ state I’ve ever been in. It is called a sidewalk. Why does this matter? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ken001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2014, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469/140 "2014-05-19T02:01:28Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > That’s not a footpath, it’s a sidewalk. That’s what they are designed for, to protect pedestrians and children from street traffic. Yes, it’s normal, especially in front of the kid’s home with a parent nearby. When I was that age, we didn’t have sidewalks and I rode at the edge of the pavement even without a parent nearby, in a cul-de-sac street. > [@Shakes](#): > > In a residential neighborhood with mom right there in the yard? > > Yes. That’s the best explanation Shakes. The mother is very closeby as evidenced by her quick arrival on the scene. So this isn’t a situation of a mother letting her 3yr old play beside the street and glancing out the kitchen window from time to time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-saves-small-boy-from-dog/688469.md?page=8)