Day out in car with friends’ American Bully?

[WildGreenHedgehog]

My friend has adopted an American Bully recently and is and another friend are going down to Brighton on Friday for a day out and she’s messaged us saying she’s bringing the dog. It isn’t one of those XL types but I’m still concerned about getting in the car with a dangerous dog I don’t know (and she doesn’t know really) incase it gets territorial. I don’t know whether to say anything in case she thinks I’m being a wet lettuce?
AIBU?

YANBU. I am a dog owner and dog lover. It sounds like a highly stressful experience for a newly rehomed dog. There is a high risk of it leading to a dangerous situation. I wouldn’t want to be in the backseat with a brand new (to her) chihuahua let along a big, strong dog like that.

I would not go.

It would be very unwise to go along with this travelling arrangement until more is known about the dog's temperament and, in particular, how it copes with car travel and meeting new people. I wouldn't take advice from the doggy fangirls on this thread. They are brainwashed and it won't be any skin off their nose if you get bitten.

It is the best default position with unknown dogs.

Cherry8809
Some absolute melts on this post. Smh.

There are certainly some people who like to create drama!

Takes one to know^ one 🙄^

Messaged her earlier. She just fobbed me off with a “don’t worry it’ll be fine” response 🙄
CBA to reply at the moment.

She hasn’t. Her point is she and her friend don’t know if it’s dangerous because it’s a newly adopted dog, and quite understandably OP doesn’t want her kids to be the test run.

Just realised OP doesn’t mention kids but being concerned for herself is reason enough.

Tell her the dog can't come. If they both want the dog there, then you back out.

Not a chance would I go near that dog, especially not in an enclosed space.

Neither would I.

ask her to muzzle it?

I wouldn’t go because of the smell, I would get very car sick in a car with dog smell (and all dogs smell).

I can’t sit in the backseat anyway so I wouldn’t be in the car if I wasn’t cast iron guaranteed to be in the front.

@WildGreenHedgehog

Could you just tell her that you'll meet her in Brighton anyway as there's somewhere you need to go beforehand? Ask her what time will work best for her and agree to meet roughly then.

If you all have your mobiles with you, she can text you once she's parked up.

That way, she still gets to go to Brighton, but you don't have to sit in the car with the dog.

I adore dogs, but wouldn't want to be in the car with a large one not known to me.

Something to bear in mind is that she has taken on a dog which was offered to new owners; she does not know what the dog has been like in the past.

I would just say no. The smell alone 🤮

Only way would be if I was in front passenger seat and dog was in boot behind a barrier

You are just going to have to reply, "sorry, it won't be fine for me. I'm just really uncomfortable with that. If the dog is going, I won't be"

How does she know it will be fine? Has the dog travelled some distance in a car before? Or with other people sharing a seat with it?

Does she even know that dogs are supposed to be restrained in a car?

I would just either make excuses and not go or arrange to meet them in Brighton.

YANBU. I wouldn’t be travelling any distance with a big fat unknown slobbery dog

Christ no.

Unless its properly secured thats illegal for any dog

Rule 57 of the highway code states: “When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”

It’s not a legal requirement set out in legislation and there’s no direct penalty for breaking the highway code. However, you could still be pulled over 'driving without due care and attention', which comes with three to nine points on your licence.

Even if it wasn't dangerous, who wants a day out after sitting in the car with a dog.
You will stink.

What did you put in your message that she felt able to override you?

No way. Are you going to lunch or will you be lunch for the dog? Let your friend make her own daft decisions, but don’t get in the car.

Asking for it to be muzzled is a good idea.

If being in the car might make it sick, is being muzzled a good idea?