Woman Gets Saved By Her Dog From Her Long-Term Stalker, Is Upset By Brother And SIL’s Reaction

No matter how well you think you know a partner, things can go seriously pear-shaped if or when you break up. Especially if they’re mentally unstable and are intent on getting you back. Or getting back at you.

A woman has shared the harrowing ordeal of how her ex-boyfriend turned full-on stalker, terrorizing her for months. She beefed up her home security, took some self-defence courses, bought a weapon, and even got a 100-pound American bulldog to keep her safe. In the end, it was the dog that saved her life when the lunatic ex broke into her home one night. But some family members now believe it’s dangerous, and she should get rid of it.

1 in 7 American women has been stalked by an intimate partner

Woman sitting worried and scared in a dark room, illustrating fear after a dog attacks stalker who broke into home.

Image credits:  Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

One woman’s dog saved her life when an ex broke into her home, but now the animal is being labeled as “dangerous”

Text excerpt describing a dog attacking a stalker who broke into a woman’s home and being labeled too dangerous around kids.

Text describing stalking behavior involving notes, flowers, and obsessive emails, related to dog attacks stalker incident.

Text excerpt describing escalating threatening behavior and installing yard cameras for safety, involving a dog attack and danger concerns.

Two adults practicing self-defense techniques in a group class focused on safety and protection skills.

Image credits: A. C. / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Woman discusses protecting herself from stalker with an attack dog labeled too dangerous to be around kids from animal shelter.

Text describing a gentle 100-pound American Bulldog known for being sweet despite its fierce appearance and labeled too dangerous.

Alt text: Large dog providing emotional support and protection from stalker, labeled too dangerous around children.

Brindle and white dog looking up with open mouth, highlighting dog attacks and danger around kids theme.

Image credits: Magdaline John / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text describing a dog attacking a stalker who broke into a woman’s home, highlighting the dog labeled too dangerous around kids.

Text excerpt describing a dog hero who attacked a stalker breaking into a woman’s home, labeled too dangerous.

Police car with flashing red and blue lights at night responding to a dog attack involving a stalker incident.

Image credits: daniel-007 / freepik (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt discussing concerns about a dog labeled too dangerous to be around kids after an attack on a stalker.

Text discussing dog defending owner from intruder, labeled too dangerous to be around children despite protective instincts.

Emotional text describing a dog named Thor who protects and keeps the owner safe after a home invasion.

Text excerpt about a dog named Thor labeled too dangerous to be around kids after protecting home from a stalker.

Alt text: Close-up of text discussing fear of dog attacks and concerns about safety with a stalker involved.

Text post describing a dog protecting owner from stalker but labeled too dangerous to be near kids.

Image credits: throwra_dogstalker

Netizens had mixed reactions, with some taking the woman’s side and others agreeing with the SIL

Reddit conversation discussing dog stalking incident and concerns about dog labeled too dangerous around kids.

Comment explaining how dog attacks stalker who broke into home and is now labeled too dangerous to be around kids.

Text message conversation discussing a dog labeled too dangerous around kids after protecting a woman from a stalker.

Comment discussing trauma processing after a stalker incident and concerns about dog safety around children.

User comment discussing dog attacks on intruders and concerns about dogs labeled dangerous around kids.

Comment discussing a guard dog that attacked a car with children inside and concerns about dog safety around kids.

Comment discussing the dangers of a dog attack and parental responsibility in deciding risks around kids.

Comment from dog trainer explaining dog attacks stalker in home as a defensive incident, not aggressive behavior.

Text discussing dog evaluation and training options after a dog attack incident involving a stalker breach.

Text post from anon sharing struggles with anxiety and depression, mentioning an amazing dog who protects from a stalker.

Text discussing concerns about a protective dog labeled too dangerous to be around kids after attacking a home intruder.

Comment discussing concerns about dog behavior after attacks and the dog's protection instincts toward a vulnerable owner.

Comment discussing concerns about dog attacks and the danger of dogs around children after aggressive behavior.

Commenter BeerDrinkinGreg responding to a dog attack incident, supporting keeping the dog for protection.

Comment discussing a 100-pound American Bulldog labeled too dangerous to be around kids after attacking a stalker.

Comment discussing dog attacks and protection training, emphasizing dogs should not be trusted for judgment calls.

Comment discussing fear of dogs and advice to help a dog labeled too dangerous to be around kids build trust with family.

Text comment discussing a dog named Thor's attack instincts and concerns about its danger around children.

Comment discussing dog attacks and concerns about dogs being too dangerous around kids due to aggressive behavior and injuries.

Text excerpt discussing concerns about dog attacks on children and protective behavior of a family dog labeled too dangerous around kids.

She later provided an update on the situation and thanked people for their advice

Text post discussing a dog that attacked a stalker who broke into a home and is now labeled too dangerous around kids.

Young woman sitting on couch using laptop, researching dog attacks and dangerous dogs around kids.

Image credits: Oleg Ivanov / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt describing a woman's experience after a violent dog attack during a home invasion, reflecting on others' reactions.

Text discussing concerns about a dog labeled too dangerous to be around kids after attacking a stalker who broke into a home.

Dog attacks stalker who broke into woman’s home, gets labeled too dangerous to be around children.

Woman sitting indoors, covering her face with hands, appearing distressed after dog attacks stalker at her home.

Image credits: gzorgz / freepik (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt discussing feelings of isolation and compromise regarding crating a dog labeled too dangerous around kids.

Text excerpt describing a woman’s struggle with a stalker and her dog protecting her from the intruder.

Text excerpt about a woman reflecting on having a stalker and not wanting to be defined by the crisis or fear.

Dog attacks stalker who broke into home, labeled too dangerous and not safe to be around kids or families.

Woman lifting weights in gym, demonstrating strength and fitness in an indoor workout setting.

Image credits: Sven Mieke / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt discussing a dog named Thor, crate behavior, and concerns related to dog attacks and safety around children.

Text excerpt discussing feelings of paranoia, friend support, and staying home during the pandemic, unrelated to dog attacks.

Text excerpt about a dog left at home and overcoming fear, relating to dog attacks and safety concerns.

Text excerpt about personal struggles and support, highlighting a dog attack on a stalker labeled dangerous around kids.

Image credits: throwra_dogstalker

Women who’ve been stalked are 40 percent more likely to have a heart attack

Stalking is defined as persistent, unwanted, intrusive harassment in person or online. And it happens more often than you might think, sometimes with fatal consequences.

Anyone can be stalked, but the stats show that it’s more common for women to be victims. One 2020 study, published in the Violence Against Women journal, found that around 15 percent of American women have been (or will be) stalked at least once in their lifetime.

It’s a scary statistic, and perhaps even scarier is that your stalker can be someone you know well. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, roughly 1 in 7 women has been stalked by an intimate partner. The figure is lower for men, at about 1 in 18.

Another worrying study published in 2022 in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence revealed that victims tend to see their ex-partners as less dangerous than strangers. And this is far from the truth.

“Being targeted by a stalker is one of the scariest and most unsettling feelings. It’s normal to try and rationalize or convince yourself it isn’t happening,” says New York-based psychotherapist,​​ Monica Amorosi.

Apart from the obvious emotional and mental health impact, a new study has found that women who’ve been stalked are 40 percent more likely to have a heart attack or stroke later in life. While those who’ve taken out a restraining order see these cardiac risks increase to 70 percent.

“Because stalking is often perceived as a form of violence that does not involve physical contact, it may seem less serious, but our findings suggest these experiences can have long-term health impacts and should not be minimized,” warned Audrey R. Murchland, an epidemiology associate at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and co-author of the study.

It goes without saying that being stalked and living in constant fear is extremely stressful.

Kim Smolderen, a professor of medicine and co-director of the vascular medicine outcomes program at the Yale School of Medicine, explains that “chronic activation of the stress system may cause wear and tear on our cardiovascular and metabolic systems.”

This, she says, makes us more susceptible to disease, such as heart disease.

“Good boy!”: netizens showered the woman and her dog with best wishes and words of support

Comment praising a dog named Thor for protecting a family from a stalker, emphasizing trauma and recovery after the attack.

Text comment on social platform expressing disbelief about recovery after a year of terror and a violent attack.

Comment praising someone's growth in processing trauma and fostering safety after victim anxiety and fear.

Text conversation expressing support after a traumatic experience with a stalker and praising the dog for protection.

Man holding a fierce dog on a leash as the dog protects against a potential stalker threatening a woman’s home.

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