White House Dog Barney Bites Reuters Reporter

The Washington Post's Al Kamen reports:

Reuters television White House correspondent Jon Decker reports that President Bush's dog Barney, going on a walk this morning on the North Lawn, let his reaction to the news show.

He "bit my right index finger this morning -- as I reached down to pet him," Decker said. The bite broke skin and the wound was bleeding enough to prompt White House physician Dr. Richard Tubb to treat Decker with antibiotics. He will also be getting a tetanus shot.

Read more or watch video from NBC Chicago below:

Comments

[RationalDubSteppa]

Barney is such a cute dog, I think he knows that it will time to move out soon... LOL... he's not too happy about that,

[nofltwlt]

As one more F-U for George Bush, this reporter should bring civil legal action against Bush.

[ptcruiser70663]

Impeach Barney. And his Old Man with him. They're both part of the vast right wing conspiracy to stile freedom of trhe press!

[JimBozo]

This is pretty much the same situation as when an airhead TV reporter was slapped around by a cat she was holding/irritating recently:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuiL4WZTjOo

Animals, as well as people, require politeness in your interaction with them. If you don't understand animal etiquette, stay away from them.

[deepfreezevideo]

Meeeyooooo­www-RRRRR.
I think that means "GET ME OUTTA HERE" roflmao

[Samalabear]

Great video and the followup to this story is there, also. That's worth watching. She said she's not a cat person and went into reporter mode during the story and was not really paying attention to the signals. The follow-up video also shows great shots of this adorable kitty. Kitty had been badly abused and is doing amazingly well for all that it's been through.

[Retrofuturistic]

The symbolism, the symbolism....

[mustardseed]

Don't you guys know your journalism? It's only a story if the reporter bites the dog! :)

[sb17]

Leave the poor dog alone. It was the reporter's fault. He needs to learn how to approach an animal that doesn't know him.

[BBackSoon]

You saved me some typing.

You should slowly approach. Offer your hand slowly, give the dog a chance to smell you and then if they seem to be ok with it you try a slight pet.

Most dogs that don't know you will bite if you quickly try to touch it.

Ok so you didn't save me that much typing.

[1201SLD]

No, a properly socialized dog, especially trained in a highly social environment, will submit. Yes, here are appropriate ways to approach a dog, but children and some adults cannot or do not do so, which is all the more reason that a dog should be socialized and trained.

My own take is that this was not an accident, that bushdogs have been given Press-scent and instructions, just as the people around them...

[Flynnstone73]

I would ammend what you just said a little and point out that one should use an open palm and move the hand below the neck line so that the dog does not see it as a threat also you want to get yourself as low as possible almost kneeling, the hieght of a human is very intimidating to a dog. The fact that barney was on a leash also made him feel vulnerable to attack and makes any dog extra agressive. Barney should not be held responsible for his owners sins. Leave the dog alone.

[TMann99821]

I think the Obama's should adopt a shelter dog for their daughters. That would be another first for the White House.

[1201SLD]

They have said they will.

[ResistanceisFutile]

Bush has a Scotty. Obama needs a Westhighland White Terrier. They are great terriers and easy to live with.

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

YOu're kidding right? No, seriously. You're kidding right? My friends dog was the nastiest thing I ever met...ever. The thing would wander around your legs, trip you up and bite you as you almost fall on your face. Not to mention the lovely pee in every corner of the house. Yeah, rrreeeal well behaved.

[concernvoter]

I would have used Barney for a football. TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!

[TMann99821]

You should be ashamed. Barney didn't choose his family.

Or do you just hate all dogs?

[maggiee]

Poor Barney. He must be getting to be a little old man about now. I might snap too if everybody was always putting their fingers in my face.

He's always been my favorite Bush. The only honest one in the bunch.

[American In Chicago]

This is worse than that time Socks gave Sam Donaldson worms.

[TMann99821]

Decker: "Does you dog bite?"

Bush: "No."

Decker reaches to pet Barney and he bites him.

Decker: "I thought you said your dog doesn't bite."

Bush: "That's not my dog."

Speaking of dogs, wouldn't it be nice if President elect Obama adopted a shelter dog for his daughters?

[Retrofuturistic]

Please leave the guy alone and let him pick out his own dog. It is a Republican characteristic to tell everyone else in the world what they should do....

[Behr904]

I guess Barney was possessed by the evil demon, Dick Cheney.

[AlphaDoc]

It's obvious the reporter was clueless about canine behavior/body language. When a dog is holding very still, its ears are flattened, and it's giving you the "stink eye," reaching to pet it is a truly bad idea. The person holding Barney's leash should have warned that reporter off . . . unless they, too, had no experience with dogs.