Woman Protects 5-year-old Daughter From Cousin’s Dog After Several Scares, Forbids His Canine From Coming Over Again, So He Refuses to Come Altogether: ‘This dog is part of the family’

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    Then last week, it happened again. My cousin came over, and of course, he brought the dog. I had told him beforehand to keep the dog on a leash or in the backyard, but he insisted it wasn't necessary because "the dog is fine." Well, during the visit, my daughter was sitting on the couch coloring when the dog suddenly
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    r/AITAH ⚫ 10 hr. ago LollipopGirll AITAH for Not Allowing My Cousin to Bring His Dog Around Anymore After It Tried to Bite My Daughter Twice?
  • 03
    I (32F) honestly don't know if I'm overreacting here, but I feel like I have to protect my kid. My cousin (34M) is really mad at me now, and it's causing a huge issue in my family.
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    So, my cousin has this dog, a medium-sized mixed breed that he's absolutly obsessed with. He treats it like his baby, and I get it people love their pets. I don't have a problem with dogs in general, but this dog has always been kinda sketchy. It's super protective of him and doesn't seem to like anyone else, especially kids.
  • 05
    The first time there was an issue was a few months ago. We had a family BBQ at my house, and my cousin brought his dog along. My daughter (5F) was playing outside, just running around, when she got a little too close to the dog while it was eating. Out of nowhere, the dog lunged at her and tried to bite her face. I
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    was right there and managed to grab her before anything happened, but it scared her so bad she was crying for the rest of the day.
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    When I confronted my cousin about it, he just shrugged it off and said his dog was "startled" and that my daughter shouldn't have been so close while it was eating. I was p ed, but I let it go because I thought maybe it was just a one-time thing.
  • 08
    Then last week, it happened again. My cousin came over, and of course, he brought the dog. I had told him beforehand to keep the dog on a leash or in the backyard, but he insisted it wasn't necessary because "the dog is fine." Well, during the visit, my daughter was sitting on the couch coloring when the dog suddenly
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    growled and lunged at her again. It snapped at her arm, and while it didn't break the skin, it scared her half to death. She was screaming and shaking, and I was furious.
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    I told my cousin right then and there that his dog is not welcome in my house anymore. He got super defensive, saying the dog didn't mean anything by it and that my daughter must've done something to provoke it. But she was literally just sitting there, minding her own business!
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    He kept arguing, saying I'm treating his dog like it's a monster, and that banning the dog is unfair because "it's part of his family." He even said I was being "anti-dog," which is ridiculous because I love dogs I just can't risk something happening to my child.
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    Now he's saying he won't come over anymore unless I let him bring the dog, which feels like manipulation to me. Some family members are on my side, saying I did the right thing, but others are saying I'm overreacting and need to "understand how much the dog means to him."
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    I'm standing my ground, but now I'm wondering if I'm really being too harsh. AITAH?
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    Ok_Economist_... • 10h ago • I'mma be straight up I would take him up on his offer to not come himself. This is blatantly disregarding your child's safety after two prior incidents protect your child. NTA
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    Connect Tackle... • 10h ago • I'm a dog trainer that can safely say if the owner chooses to ignore those behaviors and is not actively working on them then the worst case scenario will happen.
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    If he wants to test that theory fine but not on your child's face. That's exactly why I'm very strict on what dogs come to my house or not.
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    • daddysbratxx ⚫ 10h ago • NTA. Dude, your kid's safety beats his dog's comfort, period. If he can't accept that, let him stay home with Cujo. Your daughter shouldn't risk losing a face for his "family member."
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    moonshaunt3d • 10h ago • NTA. First off, your house, your rules. Full stop. But dogs can and will remember if they don't like a person. The dog decided it doesn't like your kid and will probably continue to be aggressive towards your kid.
  • 19
    It's almost worse that the second time was seemingly at random and not on sight. She (and you) shouldn't have to be afraid in your own home.
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    gastropod43 · 10h ago ΝΤΑ Top 1% Commenter Problem solved, stop inviting him over.
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    dognapperthro... •10h ago. NTA. There are 2 outcomes heres: either the dog gets banned and guaranteed nobody gets hurt, or you let that dog back in and there's a (very likely) chance it kills your daughter.
  • 22
    You made the right choice. Those family members should think about how much your DAUGHTER means to you

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