My cousin (19M) came to stay at my place for a few days because his parents were out of town. I (24F) agreed because we are family and I thought it would be fine.
I have a rescue dog who is very nervous around loud voices and sudden movements. I told my cousin to please be calm around him because he has been through abuse before.
But my cousin thought it was funny to chase the dog and clap loudly to make him bark. I told him to stop multiple times, but he laughed and said, It’s just a dog, don’t be so dramatic.
The last straw was when I came out of the shower and found him cornering my dog in the kitchen, yelling to make him tough. My dog was shaking and peed on the floor out of fear. I was furious.
I told my cousin to get out right then. He didn’t believe me until I locked the door behind him. Now my aunt and uncle are calling me heartless for kicking him out because he’s just a kid.
But I feel like protecting my dog was more important in that moment.
So, AITAH for locking my cousin out?
Comments
You are both adult-aged. Cousin chose FAFO. You are NTA
NTA, he sounds like a dick.
Hell, you’re a goddamn saint for not throwing hands over that. I’d be hard pressed to show that level of self control and I commend you for it, NTA.
That said, it’s WAY worse because he was tormenting an animal, but even if that hadn’t been the case you laid out a hard boundary, he violated it and then experienced the consequences for it. You didn’t kick him out, he did that himself.
Only thing you did wrong was wait. He should have been gone the first time you said “stop” and he didn’t.
NTA- You protected your dog, and his parents are only making things worse for them and his future by thinking he’s still a child. He’s 19, a legal adult, and if you wanted to sue for abuse of an animal (because that is what it was) he would be tried as an adult because he is AN ADULT.
NTA. Locking cousins out of the house is a blessing, not a mistake. Still, you might consider getting a braver dog next time. NTA.
Nta
Hes lucky he didnt leave in an ambulance
NTA. Also, your cousin is 19, NOT a kid. Why did he need to stay with you, anyway? If his folks don’t trust him to be alone at 19, there’s something more at play here.
NTA tell them to get the cousin checked out mentally because torturing things smaller than himself is not a normal behavior it is psychopathic
Tell your family that you want to make 5 points before they say anything else:
Tell your family that you don’t want to share space with someone who abuses animals for entertainment.
Point out that pets are essentially family members who, like children, cannot advocate for themselves.
Also, remind them that fight or flight instincts can include aggression if a frightened animal is pushed far enough.
Finally, tell them that your response was not an overreaction to a one-time event. He was told not to scare your dog, why, and what things frighten him. He was told repeatedly not to do things like this. It wasn’t the first time, but the last time.
It is YOUR place, and you decide who is welcome.
If you want to add another point, ask your family if they would keep a guest who repeatedly damages their property after being told to stop. Living things are not less important to you, but more so.
He’s a legal adult and can sleep under a bridge.
Your dog is more important.
NTA
Some dogs are more human and well behaved than your cousin.
He’s not a kid, though he’s acting like one.
Good for you for doing the right thing, though it would have been better to have warned him once he began that beware, because the next time, he’s out.
NTA! He’s not a kid he’s an adult with psychopathic tendencies.
Nta. He is a grown arsed man, not a child. He is cruel and downright nasty. I would have thrown him out, too. Hope your wee pal is okay 🐶
He’s a sociopath.
NTA your cousin disrespected your house and made your dog pee in fear.
Tell your aunt and uncle he needs to show respect for household rules and not abuse animals, they are at fault for letting him act like this.
19 is not a kid, he’s acting like a child tho. NTA
Heartless for following through on consequences? That were communicated clearly? For protecting an innocent animal that was being tortured?
Just because Aunt and Uncle failed as parents to raise an adult, doesn’t mean other people won’t treat cousin like any other grown man. Mommy and daddy may think he’s their special little guy, but that won’t keep him out of prison. Or from being beaten to a pulp to people who think the justice system is too broken to bother with.
Never let that man in your house again. NTA
NTA. You have every right to control who is in your home. Your cousin abused that privilege. He is not entitled to live there if he can’t follow basic rules of respect
NTA! He sounds like a sociopath. .
No NTA. WTF? He’s a kid? 19 years old, old enought to understand “The dog is scared. Be kind to the dog.” A 5-year-old can understand that.
19 is adult
19 is not “just a kid.” Sounds like his parents are creating a monster. Keep him out of your house and away from your dog.
Your cousin is TAH. If he gets off by scaring an innocent animal, I would have bit him like one!
Flat out tell them it’s your home and your rules, your cousin is an adult and guest and if he doesn’t respect you in your own home he doesn’t get to stay there. If a 19 yr old needs babysitting then that’s on his parents to facilitate 🤷
Why did a 19 yr old man need to stay with his cousin because his parents were out of town? There has to be more going on here.
NTA , he isn’t a kid and you can tell your aunt and uncle that their son is showing signs of sociopathy
19 is an adult, tell your aunt and uncle he needs to grow up.
Your 19 year old cousin is an adult, not a kid, who should know better than to 1 be cruel to animals for fun and 2 disrespect you in your home.
Fuck that cousin and his parents.
Something is wrong with your cousin. No wonder his parents didn’t want him to be alone. NTA Your house YOUR rules. Fuck him. He probably set your dog back seriously.
Christ on a Cracker what a Tool Bag your cousin is. Block him and your aunt and uncle who raised this dumpster fire. Good on you for protecting your pooch!!!!!
He’s 19. He’s not a kid. Or he wouldn’t be a kid if his parents didn’t baby him. Why the heck does a 19yo need to stay with a relative when mommy and daddy go out of town? Screw these people. NTA.
What kind of 19 year old can take care of himself for a few days?
Is he special needs? Only way I can see a 19-year old needing a babysitter. If he is then you’re the A-hole. If he’s not, he and his parents are tge A-holes. Kind of obvious your aunt and uncle didn’t trust him at home.
Punkass would never come back into my house ever again. Future serial killer you got right there.
NTA. Animal cruelty is a no-forgive situation. He needs to adult up and find his own damn place. I’m furious at him, and I don’t even know him.
NTA.
When I was 19 I was a full time student with a half-time job, living in a house with a few friends, cooking, shopping, paying bills. Why is your 19-yr-old cousin not able to stay in his own home while mommy and daddy go away for a few days, huh? They don’t trust him either?
A kid? He 19 time he grew up and time his parents realised what a brat they bred.
Do not let him back in. There’s a reason he’s not allowed to stay home alone. Why?
JUST a dog??? I can’t stand it when people say heartless shit like this. It’s not just an animal, it’s her fur baby, her child. And one that’s been abused, and yet still this asshole doesn’t give a shit. As if dogs don’t have feelings and emotions just like us. He fucked around and yelled at the poor little defenseless dude to the point they pissed themselves, yet YOU’RE the heartless one for protecting your dog?? 😐 Make it make sense. Fuck what your heartless family thinks. People can be really fuckin’ cruel. : If they don’t care, neither should you. NTA.
Nta. Tell them hes lucky you didnt do more then kicking him out. Hes an adult. He can deal with it.
He is an adult and he abused an animal. Time for police report. Or your aunt and uncle can try to make up for you and for the poor dog.
NTA – He is 19 and a disrespectful little shit. Tell your aunt and uncle they should have raised him better. All he had to do was not yell and be aggressive toward your dog, not a lot to ask.
At 19 he is an adult and responsible for his actions. Out he goes, never to return until he grows up.
Sorry your buddy got scared by the bad man. NTA.
19 is waaay old nuff to know how to respect the home that has allowed you to stay. He is a bully. Dog deserves better. You did good. Kid is immature and disrespectful.
NTA…he would have been in the corner pissing on himself when I got done with him. He is not a child. He is a grown ass young man. Your Aunt and Uncle fucked up on that one. And thats their problem and not yours.
Why couldn’t the 19 yo stay home alone? NTA he is an adult.
NTA. How come he can’t stay home by himself? He’s an adult.
Nta he would’ve been made to piss on my floor himself then lick it up. He is a vile human and I would never allow him back in my sight. He wants to abuse my dog I will show him how i deal with animal abusers.