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

[Thesinisterone]

According to dh family it’s a valid concern ?!

I have never wanted pets, not keen on things like zoos or farm trips for the dc. I don’t like the smell of animals (plus I’m allergic to cats!). Really don’t like dogs (I’m scared of them!).

I dont hate animals I just don’t like them and avoid them as much as possible !

According to MIL this is a red flag and she thinks I could have a personality disorder as people who don’t like animals are ‘not quite right’. I did say to her that I just avoid animals it’s not as if I go round kicking puppies or anything ??!! She said ‘everyone agrees and we are all worried we’ve never known anyone who doesn’t like the dogs !’

Is it that strange ? They (dh family) and especially MIL seem very wary of me ??!

If the ILs dog hates you, even though most other dogs love you, then I suspect that the sad truth is that your ILs aren't very keen on you and the dogs have picked up on it! I've seen this in a country where dogs are discreetly but deliberately encouraged to be wary of a particular section of the population, to bark when these people are nearby etc, and they are very sensitive to their owners' feelings on this sort of thing.

But how would you know?

You could be friends with me for years and years and not know I dislike dogs.

I happily visit my friends’ homes who have dogs, I have cared for and walked relatives dogs if they needed the help.

All the dogs like me. They don’t apparently have a sixth sense that I’d rather they were in another room or in the garden.

I’m dreadful, I don’t like cats either. And I regularly cat sit for my friend.

You could be unknowingly surrounded by non-dog people! 😆😆😆😆

I really dislike cats. I was indifferent to them, before we got one though. I have realised I'm just not a cat person.

It's just one of those stupid things said by people who make loving dogs their whole personality.

I agee with the pps who say there is a link between harming/ abusing animals and going on to abuse people.

Although I guess its fair to say from a pig perspective me eating him is bot ok, but I havent gone on to eat people.

Does it have to be so black and white? Jane Goodall said that she liked some chimps and disliked others; same as with humans.

I do find it hard to understand how someone can look into a dogs eyes and not love them (haven't we bred them to have adorable big eyes?) but I'm a hypocrite because I'm indifferent to cats generally speaking. Some are nicer than others but I'm scared of their claws.

Absolutely.

It also works the other way round. If my dogs take a dislike to someone then then I don't trust that person either.

Having said that, I don't like cats, but then again I never pretend to be a nice person.

My first impression was this!!!! then I realised what you meant

So, most adults too then?

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!

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

Thanks for that. Not really the point though.

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!)

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.

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.