Is it really a widely held belief that those who dislike animals are dangerous?

Hitler was a massive dog lover, just saying

I don’t like animals but animals like me. Every dog I come across rushes up to lick me to death.

I found a puppy in a cardboard box in the middle of the road. I nearly ran it over. I put it in my car and eventually found the owner. The people I worked with were amazed because I don’t like animals. They seemed to think I would let harm come to them. Really I’m just a neat freak and don’t want them in my house.

Yes there’s a strong correlation between hurting animals and going on to hurt/murder humans

fine not to like animals though!! Just as long as you’re keeping your hands to yourself 🫣

Not dangerous, but if my dogs seem to dislike you my spidey senses would be tingling. I've only ever had one dog (a lab I had years ago) have a weird reaction, to a friend of DH's. We didn't know it then, but she was right.

Disliking, no. Cruelty to, I’d say highly likely.

LuerLock

Id say one learned from the other- the first as a puppy would power towards me and leap up and head but me. It got more violent(😉) as he got bigger and then he would go into a sort of frozen pose so they started keeping him away. I felt so bad! Second is huge and would kill me if given the chance. I feel like a failure of a human being until I get home to my dude who acts like I’m the best in the world!

You're fine! She's a narrow minded idiot!

I don’t see it as any different to saying that you don’t like children. In both cases there’s a difference between not liking something and being actively cruel.

Not dangerous no! But as someone who would far rather spend time with animals than people I do find not liking them strange.

The only walking red flag here is your MIL! Pretty clear she just doesn’t like you.

And why am I not surprised to see that her fur babies are badly trained nightmares?

I’m a vegetarian and love animals very much, and think keeping pets is highly unethical. Keeping pets and not training them/looking after them properly is even worse.

I’m mostly indifferent and am probably pretty dangerous. I mean I’m totally a serial killer.
Or I’m allergic to animal hair and absolutely hate waking up with my eyes crusted together the morning after being around animals.

I’m an animal -loving vegetarian and even I think your in-laws are being ridiculous! As others have said, cruelty to animals is a huge red flag in itself and as a pre-cursor to cruelty to other people. Indifference is fine! My husband isn’t bothered about animals and he’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met (so kind that he allows our house to be ruled by our house rabbits even though left to himself he’d never have them!)

Thanks for that. Not really the point though.

bless you op!!!

I am a massive animal lover all kinds except snakes.. don’t know why I have a phobia of them - can’t even watch it on telly. So I totally get your fear…you are fine don’t worry about it/her though full disclosure I am a bit wary who dislike animals… (I don’t think they are dangerous just feel like they are a biit off) sorry feel free to plonk me in the weird camp with your MIL

I think having pets us such a strange concept. Sleeping in became place as animals?? Would be something you expect the destitute to do.
Farmyard animals are food, nothing more, nothing less.

I like wildlife but would never look to take it home

Could be anything with dogs - very likely a scent such as perfume or deodorant or something else the OP comes into contact with daily which is getting the dogs hackles up.

Well, that is strange! Maybe the dogs are of you, or perhaps you remind them of somebody who hurt them years ago

I express a valid opinion, & your reply makes no sense at all.

That's so not OK of your MIL, she's basically saying she thinks your husband married the wrong woman.

My ILs are all crazy dog lovers and they jokingly call me a dog-hater. I'm not, I just don't like them too near me - but they'd never dream of implying my dh made a bad choice. That's so out of order.

Anyway I care about the well being of animals - I intervened once when the cousins were terrorising the puppy and MIL was saying "oh it's fine". (That dog went on to hate children for years).

Not wanting to cuddle and fuss a dog doesn't mean you'd mistreat one.

Never heard such nonsense. Huge difference between those who avoid/have no interest in animals and those who are cruel to/deliberately neglect them.

MIL sounds unhinged. If you were hurting animals that would be concerning. But you just don't like them, and that's ok. She evidently can't see the difference.
But then, any owner who expects others to like their untrained and badly behaved dogs is, in my mind, themselves lacking empathy.

I actively dislike most dogs and cats. I would never harm one though.

I think the 'dogs are better than humans' brigade are far more concerning to be honest.

Some dog people are just like this. They take it really personally that you don’t like their pooch. It’s a funny thing.

LuerLock

We get in well, actually it was a case of dh married his mother (ew!), we’ve both got similar interests etc, same with bil and sil, but when the dogs get around me I see them all raise their eyebrows!

So, most adults too then?