Josh Brolin and his brother, Jess, grew up on a ranch in Paso Robles, California, where their mother, Jane Cameron Agee, took care of wild animals

Actor Josh Brolin has a new memoir coming out that details his difficult childhood and complicated relationship with his alcoholic mother. One story in particular really stands out, though; Brolin admits that his mother used to “sic wild animals” on him and his brother.

The actor, known for playing the villain Thanos in the Marvel movies, sat down for an interview with The Times, published Saturday, to talk about his book. In the article, the interviewer mentions a story Brolin talks about in the book, detailing his mother Jane, who was a wildlife conservationist in Texas.