What was your scariest animal encounter … wild or not

Let’s hear out how the experience was

Growing up in the foster system, I lived in many rural areas. One place had a neighbor who raised Kerry cattle. The fences were poor, and breaks were common, leading their cattle to frequently trample our garden. As the ‘expendable’ kid, I was tasked with chasing them off. Usually, yelling and waving a broom did the trick with the cows. However, one time, their bull also escaped. He wasn’t pleased with my broom-waving antics. As I was chasing the cows, I turned to see this massive black bull charging at me. I froze in fear. The only reason I survived was our collie mix, who bravely attacked the bull, diverting him until he retreated with the cows. Thankfully, the neighbor never complained about the bull’s injuries, perhaps to avoid explaining why their dangerous animal was out causing trouble.

@Finley
That dog was a real hero. Shame on those adults though.

Voss said:
@Finley
That dog was a real hero. Shame on those adults though.

She really was a hero! I miss her a lot. She was a medium-sized, fluffy, black dog with a distinctive white star on her chest, which turned grayer as she aged. She seemed larger when I was smaller, but she wasn’t a big dog.

@Finley
She knew your worth. Thanks for sharing your story.

@Finley
That reminds me of some of my own experiences. You might like the book Kings of Colorado.

Kari said:
@Finley
That reminds me of some of my own experiences. You might like the book Kings of Colorado.

I’ll give that book a try. It’s awful you had to experience that.

I had a scary moment with cows at college. We were doing archery in the woods. I cut across a cow field to grab breakfast before class. A calf came up to me, which was cute until the momma cow intervened. Soon, the whole herd was following me. Realizing these beef cows weren’t as human-friendly as dairy cows, I booked it down a hill and vaulted over an electric fence just in time.

@Talon
Your story made me laugh! Cows can be surprisingly intimidating.

@Talon
I’ve been close to a cougar but being chased by a Scottish highlander bull was terrifying. They’re fast!

@Talon
Once, I turned a corner while hiking in New Hampshire to find myself staring at a massive bull moose. It was one of the scariest moments of my life as it stomped and glared at me. I backed away slowly and fortunately, it lost interest.

@Dru
A friend injured her ankle escaping from a bull moose in NH. Terrifying indeed.

I had a close call with a warthog in South Africa when I was just 10. I was feeding zebras when it charged at me out of nowhere!

CosmicVoyager said:
I had a close call with a warthog in South Africa when I was just 10. I was feeding zebras when it charged at me out of nowhere!

Pigs, even warthogs, are often underestimated. They can be as dangerous to us as we are to them.

@Finley
At this rate, pigs might start farming us instead!

CosmicVoyager said:
@Finley
At this rate, pigs might start farming us instead!

With how smart they are, I wouldn’t be surprised if they take over!

Finley said:

CosmicVoyager said:
@Finley
At this rate, pigs might start farming us instead!

With how smart they are, I wouldn’t be surprised if they take over!

Animal Farm really was onto something!

Finley said:

CosmicVoyager said:
@Finley
At this rate, pigs might start farming us instead!

With how smart they are, I wouldn’t be surprised if they take over!

Honestly, pigs might make better leaders than some people!

I once had a run-in with a Giant Pacific Octopus that tried to grab my arm. I’ve been cautious with my hair ever since.

Keegan said:
I once had a run-in with a Giant Pacific Octopus that tried to grab my arm. I’ve been cautious with my hair ever since.

That sounds like it needs a bit more explanation!