AITA for refusing to babysit my sister’s miracle baby after what she did to my dog?

In a cozy living room filled with the soft patter of paws, a woman’s heart sank as her sister’s words turned cold. Her golden retriever, Benny, a bundle of loyalty, became an unexpected casualty in the glow of her sister’s new motherhood. What started as a celebration of a “miracle baby” twisted into a clash of values, where a dog’s gentle presence was deemed a threat, and a sister’s trust was locked away like an afterthought.

When the woman drew a line—refusing to babysit after her sister’s shocking neglect of Benny—the family group chat lit up with accusations. Shared on Reddit, her story crackles with the sting of betrayal and the weight of standing firm. It’s a tale that nudges us to wonder: how do you balance family ties when love for a pet is dismissed? Let’s unpack this furry fiasco.

‘AITA for refusing to babysit my sister’s miracle baby after what she did to my dog?’

So my sister (32F) had a baby last year after years of struggling with infertility. We were all happy for her. She called him her miracle baby and honestly I didn’t mind the attention he got until things got weird. I (28F) have a golden retriever named Benny. He’s 5. Sweetest boy alive.

Everyone in the family loves him. Even my sister used to until the baby came along. One time I brought Benny over when I visited. He stayed on his mat didn’t bark or even move. The baby started crying and my sister went I think he’s making the baby nervous and asked me to put him outside in the middle of winter.

I said no and left early. That was strike one. Next time I saw her she told me straightup she didn’t want Benny around her son because he’s a dog. I said okay whatever and stopped bringing him. But I could tell something shifted.. Then one day, I was out of town for a weekend and she begged me to let her stay at my place because hers was getting fumigated.

I agreed thinking it was chill. I come home Sunday night. Benny is hiding under the bed trembling looking all scared. I find out she locked him in the laundry room for two days straight because he was staring too much and that made the baby fussy. No food or water bowl just locked him.

I lost it. Told her she was never setting foot in my house again and that she was lucky I didn’t call animal services. Fast forward a month she’s going back to work and suddenly I’m her first choice for free childcare. Wants me to watch her baby two days a week.. I said no. She flipped and called me bitter and selfish.

And said I clearly don’t understand what it means to love family unconditionally. My mom got involved and said I’m being cruel when I could be helping. But this isn’t just about a dog. It’s about how she treated something I love without remorse and now expects me to drop everything and help her like nothing happened.. AITA for saying no to babysitting my nephew because of what she did to my dog?

Pets can be family, but not everyone sees them that way, as this Reddit drama shows. A woman’s refusal to babysit her sister’s baby after her dog was mistreated feels like a stand for loyalty—both to her pet and herself. Her sister’s actions, from banishing Benny to neglecting him, scream new-parent jitters gone too far, while the woman’s boundary sets a firm line.

The sister’s fear of Benny disrupting her baby clashed with the woman’s view of him as kin. Dr. Stanley Coren, a canine behavior expert, notes, “Dogs thrive on trust; neglect erodes their security”. Locking Benny away likely left lasting fear, mirroring the woman’s shaken trust in her sister.

This taps a bigger issue: pets in family dynamics. A 2021 ASPCA survey found 65% of pet owners see their animals as family, yet tensions rise when others don’t. The sister’s entitlement to childcare ignores her wrong, a common overstep in new parenthood.

Dr. Coren suggests clear communication about pets’ roles early on. The woman could offer supervised visits to rebuild ties, but babysitting’s off the table until trust returns. Readers, ever had a pet spark family drama? Share your thoughts below.

Here’s what Redditors had to say:

Reddit’s pack pounced on this tale like dogs on a squeaky toy, churning out a lively mix of barks and growls. It’s like a pet parade where everyone’s waving a flag for Benny or tossing shade at the sister’s nerve. From cheers for the woman’s backbone to gasps at the laundry-room lockup, these takes are as spirited as a puppy chase. Here’s the crowd’s unleashed vibe:

Writing_D3mon − Don’t even need to read the post, you’re not obligated to baby sit for anyone. ETA: holy crap, read the post and my initial response wasn’t severe enough. You’re not only not obligated you shouldn’t ever help her again for any reason, her or your mom.

Chibeau − NTA! What she did to Benny is horrible! You trusted her with him and she locked him and didn't even give him food or water!. Also, she has no right to claim your time anyway 🤷‍♀️

Femmetwinkie − NTA People who mistreat animals don’t get to cry “family” when they need something. Good on you for setting a boundary.

Dapper_Ad_819 − NTA and you should report her for animal cruelty

loverofcoins − ABSOLUTELY NTA! people feel so entitled at times, i get it if its your sister and all but like zero reason to be cruel, its her baby so thats her world, we dont all need to live in her world. and just becaue her baby is here doesnt mean now everyone has to bow down to her. you are not obligated to babysit for anyone! do not feel bad and do not get gaslit!

CurrentAccess1885 − NTA at all. If someone locked my dog in a room for any amount of time without food or water, I’d never speak to them again. That’s literally like you locking her baby in a room and ignoring it.

Mistyam − Wow! This is the third post I've read in this sub today where an annoying sibling with a young child asked to stay with the OP because their place was being fumigated. Must be an AI trend.

GuyFromLI747 − YTA for this fake AI rage bait. AI Content Found. Percentage of text that may be AI-generated.. 100%. https://copyleaks.com/ai-content-detector

GardenSafe8519 − Your dog is your baby. Protect your baby.

FierceFemme77 − This is a repost. YTA

These Redditors are fetching some bold opinions, rallying for Benny’s defender or sniffing out the sister’s gall. Some call for animal cruelty reports; others say “no” is enough. But do these howls catch the full scent of the story, or are they just chasing drama’s tail? One thing’s certain—this doggy dilemma’s got Reddit wagging. What’s your take?

This furry feud reminds us that family isn’t just blood—it’s the bonds we choose, like the one between a woman and her dog. Her refusal to babysit wasn’t petty; it was a howl for respect after her sister treated Benny like a nuisance. Reddit’s cheering squad backs her, but the real lesson? Trust, once chewed up, takes time to mend. If a loved one crossed your pet, how would you handle the fallout? Drop your thoughts below and let’s keep the convo barking.

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