What was your scariest animal encounter … wild or not

@Teal
Dogs can indeed attack without obvious provocation. I’ve seen a shift in how aggressive dogs are managed, with many shelters now trying to rehabilitate rather than euthanize. This can lead to dangerous animals being adopted by unsuspecting families.

@Finley
It’s a tough topic, but I agree with you.

@Teal
I had a rescue dog that tried to bite a child without any warning. It’s a harsh reality that some dogs can be triggered by past traumas.

@Teal
It’s often about trauma. Dogs, like humans, can have reactions based on past experiences, which might seem unprovoked but are deeply rooted in their past.

I’ve had close calls with both a black bear and a bull moose. The moose encounter was particularly nerve-wracking as it caught me by surprise while I was hunting.

I was bitten by a horse on the back of my neck when I was a child. It was not a pleasant experience.

I’ve had several animal encounters: being slammed against a door by a bull, chased by a bull moose, and a bear chase as a child. Each was terrifying in its own way.

I was bitten in the face by a dog when I was three, requiring emergency care and stitches. Decades later, I was chased by a rooster, which was surprisingly more frightening.

Van said:
I was bitten in the face by a dog when I was three, requiring emergency care and stitches. Decades later, I was chased by a rooster, which was surprisingly more frightening.

Roosters can be quite aggressive. I had a similar experience with a goose when I was young.

As a child, I unwittingly played with wild wolves, mistaking them for large dogs. It wasn’t until my babysitter intervened that I realized the danger I was in.

Westley said:
As a child, I unwittingly played with wild wolves, mistaking them for large dogs. It wasn’t until my babysitter intervened that I realized the danger I was in.

Those wolves probably thought you were lost and needed help!

@Talon
:rofl:

While dog sitting for a trainer of guard dogs, two German shepherds charged at me. I stood still, terrified, as they circled me before returning to their kennel.

Peyton said:
While dog sitting for a trainer of guard dogs, two German shepherds charged at me. I stood still, terrified, as they circled me before returning to their kennel.

Standing your ground was brave. I had a similar face-off with a Great Dane.

@Amar
I once had to outrun a doberman. The adrenaline rush was intense!

Oaklan said:
@Amar
I once had to outrun a doberman. The adrenaline rush was intense!

Escaping a charging doberman by jumping off a wall was one of my scariest moments. The memory of the owner letting the dog have one last run before it was put down is bittersweet.

@Amar
Running might not save you, but it’s better than not trying.

I got kicked out of a sanctuary after a kickboxing match with a kangaroo. It was a defensive reaction but it got us banned.

I once had a scary encounter with a skunk. I chose to run away quickly.

I was attacked by a wolf/German Shepherd hybrid during a walk. A passerby helped me escape by letting me into their car.