Dogs are some of the most loved pets in the world, but not everyone feels safe around them. After surviving a brutal dog attack that forced him to leave his old apartment, Ibrahim* (33) thought he’d finally escaped that fear. Then his new neighbour brought home a dog.
People think I hate dogs, but I don’t. What I hate is irresponsible dog owners who expect everyone else to live with the consequences of their decisions.
Earlier this year, I moved out of a house I genuinely loved because of a dog. I’d lived there for years without any major issues. My landlord had a dog that roamed the compound, but it was always friendly. It wagged its tail whenever it saw me, so I never imagined it’d attack me one day.
One weekend, I got home very late and discovered the gate was locked. I called a few neighbours, but nobody answered. After standing outside for a while, I decided to scale the fence. The moment I landed inside the compound, the dog charged at me.
It happened so fast. The same dog I’d played with almost every day suddenly became vicious. It bit my hand so badly that they had to stitch my thumb. I couldn’t work for almost a week because of the injury. The physical pain eventually went away, but the fear stayed with me.
That attack, combined with a few other issues I’d already been having in the house, became my final straw. I decided to move out.
When I started house hunting, I became particular about one thing: no dogs. The place I eventually rented was perfect. It had just four tenants, and during the inspection, I noticed that no one kept dogs. I even asked about it because I didn’t want any surprises. The lawyer handling the property also assured me that dogs weren’t allowed in the compound, and that was all I needed to hear.
For the first four months, everything was peaceful. Then one of my neighbours brought home a dog. I still remember the day I found out.
I returned from work, opened the gate and stepped into the compound. Out of nowhere, the dog barked so aggressively that I froze. It wasn’t even close to me, but my heart started racing, and all I could think about was the dog that attacked me in my previous apartment. I was furious.
I immediately confronted my neighbour and reminded him that dogs weren’t allowed. He looked surprised and told me nobody had informed him about any such rule.
That same night, I called the lawyer. He apologised and promised he’d resolve it. A week passed, then another and then a month, nothing happened. Instead, my neighbour became even more comfortable leaving the dog unchained around the compound. Anytime I complained, he’d laugh it off and say it was a domestic dog that couldn’t hurt anybody.
I’ve realised that’s something many dog owners say. “It’s friendly, it doesn’t bite. It just wants to play,” until the day it bites someone.
One afternoon, I was outside hanging clothes when the dog suddenly walked towards me. It wasn’t attacking me, but it barked loudly. I completely broke down. I had a full-blown panic attack because, in my head, I was back in my former compound watching a dog charge at me all over again. That’s when I realised I wasn’t just uncomfortable around dogs anymore. I was traumatised.
For days afterwards, I kept imagining worst-case scenarios. What if it slipped out while I was coming home? What if it attacked me the same way the first one did?
Two other neighbours also had issues with the dog, but they didn’t do anything about it. I’d told them to call the lawyer as well, but for reasons unclear to me, they were hesitant. So I decided to do something myself. The following week, I poisoned the dog.
It wasn’t an impulsive decision. I’d spent weeks feeling trapped inside my own home. I couldn’t relax. Every bark made me anxious. Every trip outside my flat felt like I was preparing for another attack.
Poisoning the dog wasn’t something I enjoyed doing. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. But I also couldn’t imagine packing my bags and moving house again because another dog owner refused to be responsible. My neighbour threw a tantrum and kept cursing, but he never confronted me.
People might judge me for what I did, and maybe they’re right. Still, I think the bigger problem is how casually some people treat dogs around others. Not everyone likes dogs or feels safe around them. And if someone tells you they’re afraid, the answer shouldn’t be to insist your dog is harmless. You should go the length to make sure your pet never becomes another person’s problem.
I’ve lost a thumb. I know another family member whose toddler was attacked by their own dog. I can never regret choosing my safety and peace. I’ll do it again if he moves mad and brings another unhinged pet into the house.
ALSO READ: I Got a Dog to Grieve My Uncle. He Ended Up Saving My Life
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