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Ruh-Roh: Is Barney's Bite Worse Than His Bark?
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ShareNovember 06, 2008 1:50 PM
ABC News' Jennifer Duck Reports: Barney, one of two of the president's Scottish terriers, bit a reporter Thursday.
Barney has a history of biting. On West Wing White House tours, visitors are not permitted in the Rose Garden if Barney is outside because he has bitten visitors in the past.
The victim Thursday was Jon Decker who works for Reuters TV. Decker asked the dog handler if he could pet Barney and after he received the go-ahead, Barney snapped and broke skin on Decker's finger.
First Lady Laura Bush's spokeswoman Sally McDonough confirmed this afternoon that Barney did in fact snap at the Reuters reporter.
"Mr. Decker and other members of the press were taking pictures of Barney while he was out for his walk. And, as veteran White House reporter April Ryan—who captured the snap on her video phone—was overheard saying, 'this is very unlike Barney,'" said McDonough. "I think it was his way of saying he was done with the paparazzi. I've talked to Jon and he is being a good sport about it all. Mrs. Bush is aware and asked that I call Jon to make sure all is well."
Decker is reportedly fine after seeing the White House doctor, although his finger is still bleeding.
President-elect Barack Obama's daughters Sasha and Malia have been promised a dog when they move into the White House. Scottish terriers may be lower on the list now.
November 6, 2008 in White House | Permalink | User Comments (98)
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Dogs know who the enemy is.
Good job Barney
Posted by: One for the dog | Nov 6, 2008 2:02:59 PM
Guess he's not taking the Obama victory very well.
Posted by: TRBoston | Nov 6, 2008 2:24:23 PM
I'm not surprised. Rotten people tend to get along with each other. Which explains why this dog gets along so well with its owners, and no one else.
Posted by: That little jerk ... | Nov 6, 2008 2:32:05 PM
lol. That's one protective dog. I guess living at the White House would give any canine a complex. :P. lol.
Posted by: Ebbtide | Nov 6, 2008 2:40:58 PM
Can't wait for that lawsuit!
Posted by: foxreaves | Nov 6, 2008 3:46:00 PM
Don't worry guys. If the Obama's dog does anything that dogs usually do, the media elite will never report it. As of Jan. 20, only good news will emanate from the White House.
Posted by: Maripo | Nov 6, 2008 3:56:41 PM
Barney bit a reporter! Poor Barney, that is going to leave a bad taste in his mouth all day!
Posted by: Red Stater | Nov 6, 2008 3:57:53 PM
So the evil miasma over the place even affected the dog, huh?
Posted by: Alexia | Nov 6, 2008 3:59:04 PM
Speaking of "evil miasma," just wait until the new Prez welcomes Bill Ayers and Rev. Wright to the White House state dinners.
Posted by: Mia's Ma | Nov 6, 2008 4:06:08 PM
That's why the Obama kids need to get a mixed-breed shelter puppy. Pedigreed dogs are much more temperamental. Too much inbreeding.
Viva la mutts!
Posted by: RonM | Nov 6, 2008 4:13:39 PM
Smart DOG to bite the al reuters reporter....should have taken off a hand!
Posted by: Jaded | Nov 6, 2008 4:24:25 PM
How's Barney? Is he ok?
Posted by: Valerius | Nov 6, 2008 4:41:02 PM
"Does your dog bite?"
"No."
...
"I thought you said your dog didn't bite!"
"That is not my dog."
Posted by: Laura | Nov 6, 2008 4:56:26 PM
Awww, a little spawn of Cerberus faithfully guarding his demonic overlords 'til the bitter end.
Posted by: BowWow | Nov 6, 2008 5:02:21 PM
You must first consider the breed and then consider whether the reporter bent over the dog instead of coming down to his level. So, Barney was probably intimidated. You don't offer an extended hand to a dog, you close your hand and offer the back for a "sniff" while speaking softly.
Posted by: Yankee | Nov 6, 2008 5:39:37 PM
Thats funny. Barney is just as hateful and foul as his owner. He treats reporters like Bush treats fellow world leaders.
My dog Smooches barks and growls everytime she see's Bush and Cheney on TV. She hates them about as much as the american public, and the rest of the world.
But I told her a new day has come, and America will once again become the beloved country we used to be. Then she rolled over and had me rub her belly.
It feels good,to be an Obama Voter.
Posted by: Bye Bye Bush. | Nov 6, 2008 5:42:51 PM
Clueless reporter who knows nothing about animals. Just looking at Barney you could tell the animal was stressed particularly with his ears back. You go sticking your hands in an animal in that conditions face you gonna git bit.
Posted by: Janet | Nov 6, 2008 5:43:15 PM
Give that reporter a toothbrush moustache and he's a dead ringer for Aldoph.
Posted by: Cecil | Nov 6, 2008 6:00:04 PM
put him down like any other dog who has bitten a person more than once, then put down his owners.
Posted by: Christopher Paul | Nov 6, 2008 6:01:37 PM
I can't believe how many a-hole republicans can actually form thoughts and write things on this site, are you asking for help from a democratic neighbor, your paperboy, or your nursing home staff?
Posted by: Christopher Paul | Nov 6, 2008 6:07:15 PM
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