Cat saves boy

IvySlayer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-Opm9b2WDk

Awesome cat :D

tayto lover

Brave wee cat

What happened the dog though? As in what made him do it? Wonder if the dog had a bad experience with humans on a bike or something?

Really strange to see a dog attack like that for apparently no reason. Great cat though!

bada_bing

i'm baffled as to why the dog attacked the child who was minding his own business. The child wasn't even near him and the dog went out of its way to attack him without any warning. quite strange really!!!

dodderangler

At 0:40 why the hell did the mother just run off and why was the child playing out in the garden near the road on its own in the first place.
Extremely strange from the dog to just attack out of nowhere.
I hate cats but that's a good intelligent cat right there.

Nody

Deleted User wrote: »

What happened the dog though? As in what made him do it? Wonder if the dog had a bad experience with humans on a bike or something?

It was put down.

We're told the dog was picked up Tuesday by animal control -- in an extremely aggressive state -- and a decision has been made to euthanize the animal.

dodderangler wrote: »

At 0:40 why the hell did the mother just run off and why was the child playing out in the garden near the road on its own in the first place.

The boy's mother, Erica Triantafilo, told NBC affiliate KGET that she was outside at the time and when she tried to chase the dog further away, it bit her, too.

metaoblivia

It's being reported now that the dog will be quarantined for 10 days, then euthanized: http://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/amazing-video-cat-saves-boy-from-dog-attack-in-southwest-bakersfield-051414

What a cat! I wonder if either of my two would do the same...

Edit: Nody and I posted at the same time! :P

Greenmachine

metaoblivia wrote: »

It's being reported now that the dog will be quarantined for 10 days, then euthanized: http://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/amazing-video-cat-saves-boy-from-dog-attack-in-southwest-bakersfield-051414

What a cat! I wonder if either of my two would do the same...

Edit: Nody and I posted at the same time! :P

If they are going to euthanize the dog anyway, why quarantine it for 10 days. If it is a carrier for something like rabies, why not just nip it in the bud.

kylith

Greenmachine wrote: »

If they are going to euthanize the dog anyway, why quarantine it for 10 days. If it is a carrier for something like rabies, why not just nip it in the bud.

They probably want to see if it develops anything so that the people can be treated. It's probably cheaper to wait and see if it develops any symptoms rather than doing post mortem tests for every possible illness.

I would imagine that there's something wrong with it, it's very odd for a dog to attack like that.

Teyla Emmagan

Poor dog

Greenmachine

kylith wrote: »

They probably want to see if it develops anything so that the people can be treated. It's probably cheaper to wait and see if it develops any symptoms rather than doing post mortem tests for every possible illness.

I would imagine that there's something wrong with it, it's very odd for a dog to attack like that.

Surely blood and throat swabs etc can be done already.

GarIT

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

Poor dog

Are you f***Ing serious? The dog deserves it if not a lot worse.

Flippyfloppy

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

Poor dog

Why????

Nody

GarIT wrote: »

Are you f***Ing serious? The dog deserves it if not a lot worse.

It's unlikely it's the dog who decided out of the blue to go attack someone and much more likely the owner's who failed to socialize/control/vet check the dog (and I highly doubt this is the first incident with the dog either). I.e. the dog is not the real guilty party here; it's the owners who were responsible for it's health that are the guilty party for failing to actually act like owners (only hope is they get sued for it to prevent them from ever getting a new pet to repeat it).

gctest50

Greenmachine wrote: »

If they are going to euthanize the dog anyway, why quarantine it for 10 days..

He could carry rabies for weeks, have no symptoms and be not much harm, once the rabies reaches the head it won't be long before its in the saliva.

First sign of possible rabies is an animal going for you that normally wouldn't

Flippyfloppy

Nody wrote: »

It's unlikely it's the dog who decided out of the blue to go attack someone and much more likely the owner's who failed to socialize/control/vet check the dog (and I highly doubt this is the first incident with the dog either). I.e. the dog is not the real guilty party here; it's the owners who were responsible for it's health that are the guilty party for failing to actually act like owners (only hope is they get sued for it to prevent them from ever getting a new pet to repeat it).

You don't know that though. All that is evident is an unprovoked attack!! Finally, one on video.

Dogs can be jerks too.

GarIT

Nody wrote: »

It's unlikely it's the dog who decided out of the blue to go attack someone and much more likely the owner's who failed to socialize/control/vet check the dog (and I highly doubt this is the first incident with the dog either). I.e. the dog is not the real guilty party here; it's the owners who were responsible for it's health that are the guilty party for failing to actually act like owners (only hope is they get sued for it to prevent them from ever getting a new pet to repeat it).

When I read things like this I think its just dog lovers making excuses, dogs shouldn't be allowed be kept in built up areas IMO.

ectoraige

Obviously the cat needed the boy to do something for him later

Flippyfloppy

GarIT wrote: »

When I read things like this I think its just dog lovers making excuses, dogs shouldn't be allowed be kept in built up areas IMO.

True. If only the same compassion was given to humans. A lot humans commit crimes , become scum , commit abuse from going through rough childhoods. You don't hear many stuck up for them.

Dtp1979

Myrddin

Very unusual behavior by the dog, but I'd agree with the sentiment that it's the dogs owners who are in all likelihood at fault here. It's possible though too, that the dog had some bad experience with children/bikes before, but again, the owners should be aware of this & maintain the dog accordingly. I think it's right to euthanize the dog, I know it's a cliche but this really could have been a lot worse for the poor child.

Do you know what's even weirder than the dog attacking though? The cats behavior! I've spent a lot of time around cats over the years, and this apparent 'loyalty in the face of danger' is not a trait I would have associated with their behavioral make-up. It's the kind of thing you'd expect from a dog tbh. Very weird, but awesome as hell at the same time. What a cool cat!

For the record, I'm neither a dog lover nor a cat lover...but an animal lover, so wouldn't be biased towards either pet.

Nody

Myrddin wrote: »

Do you know what's even weirder than the dog attacking though? The cats behavior! I've spent a lot of time around cats over the years, and this apparent 'loyalty in the face of danger' is not a trait I would have associated with their behavioral make-up. It's the kind of thing you'd expect from a dog tbh.

I'd guess territorial protection more then anything else; it stopped directly after the truck, ran back, charged again (most likely as the dog was coming back and when the mother got bitten by trying to chase it away).

Myrddin

Nody wrote: »

I'd guess territorial protection more then anything else; it stopped directly after the truck, ran back, charged again (most likely as the dog was coming back and when the mother got bitten by trying to chase it away).

Possible alright, though territorial-ism towards other cats is one thing, but against a dog that's four times the size? Not something you'd see every day.

seamus

GarIT wrote: »

Are you f***Ing serious? The dog deserves it if not a lot worse.

"If not a lot worse", what like torture it for information?

Always found it bizarre this idea of getting revenge on an animal. It's an animal. There is no purpose to be served by doing anything but humanely euthanising it.

There's no point in getting angry. It's an animal.

They are probably doing blood tests anyway but you would hold the animalsfor obs in order to confirm or rule out any diagnoses. You can't fnck around with rabies.

I could be wrong but it doesn't look like the child was actually bitten, but dragged to the ground by his shorts, so hopefully he has no lasting injuries from this incident.

Nody

seamus wrote: »

I could be wrong but it doesn't look like the child was actually bitten, but dragged to the ground by his shorts, so hopefully he has no lasting injuries from this incident.

49s in the video would appear to be bite wounds to me as would the 10 stitches he got in total indicate but I've not dealt with a lot of bite wounds so could be wrong.

gctest50

Strange sorta animal all the same, loyal enough - probably still eat you though if there was a bit of a shortage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaP7STV1aFs

Knine

Several years ago now our cat was attacked by a very powerful breed of dog & was in serious trouble. I ran out the door as fast as I could & our small mongrel got out at the same time!

Our little dog grabbed the attacking dog & actually managed to inflict a nasty injury, the cat was promptly dropped & to my astonishment the cat then used claws & teeth to help our dog.

So there was this large dog with a little dog swinging out of his ear & a cat scraping the arse off him.

He never attacked the cat again!

Dtp1979

Knine wrote: »

Several years ago now our cat was attacked by a very powerful breed of dog & was in serious trouble. I ran out the door as fast as I could & our small mongrel got out at the same time!

Our little dog grabbed the attacking dog & actually managed to inflict a nasty injury, the cat was promptly dropped & to my astonishment the cat then used claws & teeth to help our dog.

So there was this large dog with a little dog swinging out of his ear & a cat scraping the arse off him.

He never attacked the cat again!

As they say,.... It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog that matters

BeatNikDub

Knine wrote: »

Several years ago now our cat was attacked by a very powerful breed of dog & was in serious trouble. I ran out the door as fast as I could & our small mongrel got out at the same time!

Our little dog grabbed the attacking dog & actually managed to inflict a nasty injury, the cat was promptly dropped & to my astonishment the cat then used claws & teeth to help our dog.

So there was this large dog with a little dog swinging out of his ear & a cat scraping the arse off him.

He never attacked the cat again!

Amazing story!

CelticRambler

They're usually described as selfish loners, but cats can be fiercely protective of their "family". I shared 16 years of my life with a siamese-cross tortoiseshell who was the most arrogant female of any species I've ever met, but loyal till the day she died. At the time, we shared a fence with the churchyard next door and one day, a mad Springer Spaniel got too close when our first baby was on the loose inside. Well, she took off after the dog like that one in the video, but didn't stop chasing him for about ten minutes. Poor fella was only being lively and meant no harm but he never came near our fence again.

dodderangler

Heard on the radio that the dog is being tested.
Assuming it's because of the strange behaviour to snap like that.
Because it was in California I wonder if a coyote had done the same would the cat have reacted the way it did

NipNip

Nody wrote: »

It's unlikely it's the dog who decided out of the blue to go attack someone and much more likely the owner's who failed to socialize/control/vet check the dog (and I highly doubt this is the first incident with the dog either). I.e. the dog is not the real guilty party here; it's the owners who were responsible for it's health that are the guilty party for failing to actually act like owners (only hope is they get sued for it to prevent them from ever getting a new pet to repeat it).

The dog is guilty.

Flippyfloppy

I wonder if there was no video of the attack what the general consensus would have been? If it was reported the boy was out playing and got attacked by a dog, (minus the cat) would there have been cries of 'the child must have provoked the dog!!!'

Zapperzy

Myrddin wrote: »

Possible alright, though territorial-ism towards other cats is one thing, but against a dog that's four times the size? Not something you'd see every day.

I do wonder sometimes do cats and dogs have an awareness of what size they are in comparison to another animal they are attacking/chasing etc. There was another video circulating of a cat charging at a huge crocodile/alligator, plenty of videos as well of kittens charging at rottweilers and the likes. I don't really think they stop and think hold on that dog/snake/croc/horse is twice/ten times my size I better not take it on!

Dtp1979

Maybe the cat had kittens and it wasn't as heroic as it seemed. I've seen my own mothers cat attack a Rottweiler once when she had kittens. She literally jumped off the 8ft shed roof onto the dogs back and came out the better of it

Myrddin

Zapperzy wrote: »

I do wonder sometimes do cats and dogs have an awareness of what size they are in comparison to another animal they are attacking/chasing etc. There was another video circulating of a cat charging at a huge crocodile/alligator, plenty of videos as well of kittens charging at rottweilers and the likes. I don't really think they stop and think hold on that dog/snake/croc/horse is twice/ten times my size I better not take it on!

I'd say they are aware of it...but I'd say it's some kind of defensive/survival mechanism that kicks in. The kittens charging at dogs example, there isn't a hope in hell they'd survive unless the charging action freaks out the attacker, so kinda like a last ditched calling of bluff maybe.

Zapperzy

Zapperzy wrote: »

I do wonder sometimes do cats and dogs have an awareness of what size they are in comparison to another animal they are attacking/chasing etc. There was another video circulating of a cat charging at a huge crocodile/alligator, plenty of videos as well of kittens charging at rottweilers and the likes. I don't really think they stop and think hold on that dog/snake/croc/horse is twice/ten times my size I better not take it on!

Jack Russells definitely don't know what size they are :P Anyone I know with both cats and dogs knows the cat is the boss of the 2 of them.

Maybe it's just me that feels sorry for the dog, find it really hard to believe there's no reason for what happened. The way he snuck up and calculated what he was doing really isn't dog-like behaviour.

TireeTerror

Its comical the amount of wild random assumptions being made on this thread. Why do people so strongly support one side or the other in these situations? Whether you like cats or dogs, this video simply showed an evil dog who saw some prey and attacked and mutilated a small defenceless child. Fortunately for the child a far superior animal was around to save the day. The actions of that cat merit a reward, I would like to see it given a statue in honour of its selfless bravery.
<snip>

Flippyfloppy

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Jack Russells definitely don't know what size they are :P Anyone I know with both cats and dogs knows the cat is the boss of the 2 of them.

Maybe it's just me that feels sorry for the dog, find it really hard to believe there's no reason for what happened. The way he snuck up and calculated what he was doing really isn't dog-like behaviour.

I get what you're saying, really I do, but at the end of the day, it is a dog, therefore it is dog like behaviour.

Plenty of dogs attack children & adults worldwide. I don't recall any ever being on video, or ending in a daring rescue by a cat for that matter.

But for the first time there is irrefutable evidence that dogs can attack unprovoked. Obviously the history/health of this dog is unknown at present.

But could this just be an eye opener for dog owners to exercise control over their dogs, and think twice about 'trusting' dogs with kids.

What if your large breed trusted family pet did contract rabies or a brain rumour unbeknownst to you? Is it worth the risk?

Pumpkinseeds

The number of posters wanting to attribute the cats behaviour to something other than defending her humans is really puzzling. Do people really hate cats so much that they can't just let it be what it is She chased off a dog that was attacking her humans and people want to take away from that by suggesting she was defending territory or kittens, I really don't understand that at all.

bumper234

seamus wrote: »

"If not a lot worse", what like torture it for information?

Always found it bizarre this idea of getting revenge on an animal. It's an animal. There is no purpose to be served by doing anything but humanely euthanising it.

There's no point in getting angry. It's an animal.

They are probably doing blood tests anyway but you would hold the animalsfor obs in order to confirm or rule out any diagnoses. You can't fnck around with rabies.

I could be wrong but it doesn't look like the child was actually bitten, but dragged to the ground by his shorts, so hopefully he has no lasting injuries from this incident.

Definitely bitten and required stitches to some nasty

http://news.sky.com/story/1261856/family-cat-saves-boy-from-vicious-dog-attack

Lirange

bumper234 wrote: »

Definitely bitten and required stitches to some nasty

http://news.sky.com/story/1261856/family-cat-saves-boy-from-vicious-dog-attack

Cat's name is Tara.

An Irish cat clearly. :pac:

Greenmachine

gctest50 wrote: »

He could carry rabies for weeks, have no symptoms and be not much harm, once the rabies reaches the head it won't be long before its in the saliva.

First sign of possible rabies is an animal going for you that normally wouldn't

Would have thought that if rabies was already effecting a dogs behavior it would be in his head and detectable but hey I ain't a vet.

K-9

Flippyfloppy wrote: »

What if your large breed trusted family pet did contract rabies or a brain rumour unbeknownst to you? Is it worth the risk?

Yes. The chances of my lab getting rabies is virtually non existent, I can't live life fearing freak occurrences.

Zapperzy

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Jack Russells definitely don't know what size they are :P Anyone I know with both cats and dogs knows the cat is the boss of the 2 of them.

As the owner of a terrier and two cats I agree with both statements :P my terrier if given an opportunity would take on a pack of lions with me running after him Fenton style :P The older cat is definitely boss over the other two, comical to see the dog running down the hall with a cat in pursuit nipping at his ankles :P

It's hard to make a judgement on what's going on in the video or why the two animals reacted the way they did but taking it at face value it's nice to see a family pet's loyalty to its humans There may well be more to it than what's shown or told.

I hope the cat at least got a bowl of the finest salmon for her troubles :P

loveisdivine

It always creeps me out how some people get so worked up about getting revenge on animals that attack humans. It's really quite weird and frankly quite stupid. It says a lot about the human psyche that we feel we need "justice" against an animal.

Dr Bob

The cat was probably saying "Begone canine ..this one's soul is mine!!" when he went for the dog.

seamus

Flippyfloppy wrote: »

What if your large breed trusted family pet did contract rabies or a brain rumour unbeknownst to you? Is it worth the risk?

Rabies doesn't exist in Ireland. Worrying about your pet contracting rabies is about as pointless as worrying about catching ebola.

To address the rest of your post - overall I agree, and I hope that some owners will realise from this video that you can't leave your animals to roam unsupervised, especially where there are children playing.

But look how close the child's mother was; supervising your own animal around your own children is about watching out for signs that the animal is stressed or unhappy more than simply being there. If the animal is closer to the child than you are, then they can attack before you can get there (even if it's just a warning nip). So controlling their interaction is far more than physically restraining or separating them.

Calibos

Unsocialised dog. What looks like semi communal front paved area without boundary wall/fence which the dog obviously viewed its entirety as part of his territory with a car/minivan in the middle. Combine that with the kid possibly ringing the bell or beeping the horn on his bike. (No audio on the video so we don't know)

This isn't making excuses for the dog just pointing out that it wasn't just out of the blue and wasn't prey drive or anything like that IMHO. The dog should indeed be euthanized after such a serious attack.

Some of the comments in this thread!! No wonder this forum has to be heavily moderated. Torture the dog before euthanazia?? Dogs are 'Gay'?? Good grief. Are yiz 12 year old lads??

Youtube is full of moggy's running off black bears from their yards, swatting alligators who's mouth they'd fit in, back into the water, attacking the owner after the owner reprimanded their child in front of the cat etc etc

I even have my own 'Cat Beserker' story. The 'Crumlin Cat' as we call it in our family when we tell the story. Was driving through Crumlin and stopped in traffic when we saw two large dogs (Lab and Red Setter IIRC) going hell for leather chasing a cat down the street and around a corner. Seconds later the two dogs sprinted and scrambled back around the corner yelping at the top of their lungs with the single cat in hot purrrsuit.

NipNip

The dog followed a scent. It doesn't cock its ears. It sniffs the ground until it finds the child.

There was no indication as to what that dog was about to do.

As for dogs v cats? My JR was petrified of a neighbouring Tom cat who would stray into the garden. More than once, she came squealing in the back door, with the cat high-tailing it after her. Other days, when the dog was brave (ie the cat was a safe distance away on top of a 6 foot wall), she would courageously bark up at the cat on the wall. Until the cat would make a move, then d dog would scarper up the garden again.