White House 'First Dog' Bites Reporter

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Posted: 2:39 PM Nov 7, 2008
Last Updated: 2:39 PM Nov 7, 2008
Reporter: Associated Press
Email Address: news@wjhg.com

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Barney, the lame duck first dog that’s frequently in the president’s arms when Mr. Bush flies to Waco to spend time at his ranch near Crawford, has taken a bite out of a White House reporter who reached down to pet him.

Barney evidently wasn’t in the mood for attention from the press and he took it out on Jon Dekker of Reuters.

“He totally got me,” Dekker said after Barney snapped.
The episode was captured on video by another reporter and has wound up on YouTube.

First lady Laura Bush says it may have been Barney's way of saying "he was done with the paparazzi."

The reporter was promptly bandaged by a White House doctor and says he may be on antibiotics for a few days.

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Posted by: Beth Location: Ontario on Nov 9, 2008 at 12:24 AM
Generally, when dog bite make the news, an active debate follows. This discussion usually has one side who blames the breed. The other side blames an allegedly irresponsible owner. Since the dog is not a breed that is typically associated with negative press, like a Pit Bull, the story is rather mild in tone. What if this had been a child? Perhaps politicians everywhere across North America should take this as a very poignant wake up call that all dogs have the potential to bite. A virtually unregulated industry combined with breed specific laws does not eliminate dog bites. It seems every dog has the potential to bite. No owner, regardless of position, social status, education is exempt. It's not just the owner or the breed. Other factors are present. And they need to be dealt with. Dogs can bring tremendous positive benefits to society. But the system as it stands is painfully inadequate.

Posted by: Findlay Location: Australia on Nov 8, 2008 at 06:10 PM
Go Barney!!! The Media suck! Seriously though, the reporter had a stack of papers in his other hand when he lent down to Barney, the dog was confused, and might have thought he was about to get punished. I feel sorry that the reporter for getting bitten, but you have to be more aware of animals. I get around in a wheelchair and just know that dogs who aren't used to them can become nervous, frightened and thus aggressive. So don't blame Barney for this indiscretion, there was fault on both sides. Oh and Barney, Shandy sends her best.