Moment Friendly Stranger Greets Dog People Usually Avoid: 'He Was So Happy'

A dog was left overjoyed after a friendly stranger took the time to come over and say hello. It was an interaction that was about so much more than just a simple greeting, though.

In a video posted to TikTok under the handle eddienchooch215, Eddie the dog owner explained that his American bulldog, Chooch, is more "used to people crossing the street to avoid him" rather than saying hi.

So when someone like the man in the video decides to do something different, it "makes his day."

"He was so happy," Eddie wrote in the caption accompanying the footage.

American bulldogs have been a source of considerable controversy recently, with the American XL Bully in particular coming under scrutiny following a series of reported attacks.

In October, a toddler was mauled in London by what U.K. police described as an "out of control" American XL bully. The incident came in the wake of an announcement by the British government that it intended to ban the breed in the U.K. by the end of the year, under the provisions of the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act.

The government's decision came after statistics showed that XL bullies were responsible for two of the four fatal dog attacks in the U.K. in 2021 and six of the 10 in 2022.

The decision has drawn criticism in some quarters. Dog experts argue that the breed is not inherently aggressive and that any dogs that do attack are only doing so as a result of their upbringing.

Chooch certainly appears to be a gentle canine, if the clip posted to social media by his owner is anything to go by. In the footage, he can be seen happily approaching the friendly stranger, who is crouched down and ready to receive his new canine friend.

Chooch is only too happy to let the man pet him and give him tickles and cuddles. The dog's satisfaction is evident: His tail can be seen wagging throughout.

Despite the friendly nature of the interaction between Chooch and the stranger, the footage appeared to divide viewers on social media.

Some seemed happy to ignore the American bully's reputation. One user commented: "I'd literally cross the street to pet your dog, what a chunky little tanky angel."

Another agreed, writing: "I don't know how anyone could resist him."

A third added: "I would jump a fence to play with him," while a fourth said: "I would be coming straight for you to ask if I can pet her."

Others were less convinced. One said it was all fine "until they decide to go into beast mode," adding they were "glad the UK is doing something about it."

Another said: "I always cross the street with any dog cuz lots of ppl around here are just irresponsible."

Some insisted the response was out of proportion. "I don't think I've ever met a mean pitty in my life," one said. "I was always told growing up that they were mean dogs but I've never met a mean one."

Another wrote: "People are scared of my son's American Bullies but they are the sweetest dogs."

Newsweek contacted Eddie on TikTok and email for comment.

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