http://newsok.com/gallery/articleid/3767428/pictures/1985482
It seems that there was a sign. I knew a lot of witnesses who wouldn't go to a door with a beware of dog sign. I never observed anyone pressured into going, other than sometimes a female would ask if a male in the group wanted to go instead.
Personally, I find the thinly veiled gloating over this kind of thing rather distasteful. The same thing happened with the bus crash where several were killed. To be fair, I very rarely came across anyone during my time "in" who felt they were invincible or magically protected while in JW-sponsored activities, say what you want about the ridiculous illustrations in the rags.