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Ruh-Roh: Is Barney's Bite Worse Than His Bark?

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November 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)

User Comments

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Maripo must be a sore LOSER.

Posted by: Gary Keel | Nov 6, 2008 6:09:28 PM

Maripo must be a sore LOSER.

Posted by: Gary Keel | Nov 6, 2008 6:09:29 PM

I guess barney is not to happy about having to leave the White House

Posted by: Patty | Nov 6, 2008 6:26:26 PM

If Barney is a biter he should be put down.

Posted by: Peter | Nov 6, 2008 6:37:42 PM

I agree, he has a history of being a biter so good bye Barney.

Posted by: Lorna | Nov 6, 2008 6:39:02 PM

Barney is a dog. I am a person. Anyone who confuses the two is a Loon.

Posted by: Carl | Nov 6, 2008 6:42:09 PM

Most dogs reflect the personality of their Master...

Posted by: gae | Nov 6, 2008 6:42:13 PM

Barney was protecting himself from that demonrat reporter. Dogs can sense which people are evil.

Posted by: Julie | Nov 6, 2008 6:42:20 PM

Around my area in California, if a dog bites more than one person, it's labeled a vicious animal and destroyed. Of course, I also believe Bush should be treated the same way.

Posted by: JR | Nov 6, 2008 6:44:17 PM

Scotties are a breed of dog notoriously known NOT to tolerte anyone other than their owners, be they Democrat, Republican or reporter.

Posted by: Robin | Nov 6, 2008 6:48:03 PM

"Dogs can sense which people are evil"

so, since he has bitten members of the general public visiting the white house, I guess he senses that common American citizens are evil?

Maybe that explains why Bush wants to wage war of the entire world.

Posted by: JR | Nov 6, 2008 6:48:12 PM

I don't like Bush, but I DO like his dogs - and I think people would bite paparazzi if they could, too! Moral of the story - OFFER your hand to a dog - if he wants to be petted, he'll let you. Don't ever force a dog to be petted. I wouldn't like it and neither would you.

Posted by: paintpaintpaint | Nov 6, 2008 7:02:55 PM

president obama should consider a papillon they are the sweetest dog only 10# and 12-in.hi.
they never bite and are very loving to all people.

Posted by: patty | Nov 6, 2008 7:04:19 PM

how about a miniature Yorkshire terrier?
very playful and full of energy. this dog is well loved and loves its owners as well
as its hypoallergenic coat
never a dull moment

Posted by: Andrew | Nov 6, 2008 7:04:26 PM

Whoa! That was wierd I mean Barney attacking a person working for Reuters TV! Wow... What I would suggest is a golden retriever.

Posted by: Skylar Fang | Nov 6, 2008 7:05:20 PM

I wouldn't exactly blame the poor dog. I'm sure the reporter meant no harm, but Barney didn't know that. He was in fact approached the wrong way. The reporter just went straight in from the pup's blind spot, not much of an introduction. Then, all of a sudden, for all he knows, "something" is ATTACKING him from the said blindspot. The dog just reacted to a potential threat...pure instinct.

On another note, why are so many "Obamites" acting so spiteful and immature??? It doesn't matter if some "Evil Republicans" are acting bitter, or have acted so in the past. LET IT GO! MOVE ON. Yes, you should most definitely be proud of your victory, but QUIT ACTING LIKE ASSES. It screws it up for the rest of us.

Just remember, these POLITICIANS are NOT PERFECT. Don't get me wrong, I voted for Obama as well. However, I still know that the road is indeed long ahead and will be full of bumps and distractions and things that must be dealt with; that even the most crafty and intelligent person would have a hard time dealing. None of "this" is going to just disappear overnight, just because we have a different President. So, please, do give Obama your blessing. It cannot be an easy job, even for, or rather ESPECIALLY for Bush. NO, I don't like W's politics, but I don't truly believe the man is completely evil. In fact, I imagine he is over all a pretty decent human being...but he's still a HUMAN being. Remember that this human experience involves having an "id, ego and super-ego" (forgive the "Freudianism") What I mean, though, is that NO ONE is perfect and there are many factors which "make" us.

So, yes, I have all the hope in the world for Obama, and this particular election restored my faith in the American Electoral process, but I am realistic enough to know that Obama is only going to do what he can, given the constraints of his humanness and a bipartisan (and sometimes even more split it seems) system of government.

So, PLEASE, people, act kindly to each other; because you never know who might just affect whom in the days that lie ahead. Cheers to all...

Posted by: Jeeves | Nov 6, 2008 7:07:01 PM

Wow, Bush sure know how to make decisions. A dog that bites people and a VP that shoots people.

Posted by: ABCNEWSFAN | Nov 6, 2008 7:07:40 PM

The real question is why did the reporter feel free to reach out toward the dog when it gave no sign it was interested? Would that same reporter have reached out to touch one of the Bush's? I think not. I didn't see anything in the report about the reporter taking responsibility for imposing himself on an unfamiliar dog. Great video to teach kids how NOT to approach a dog!

Posted by: Diana | Nov 6, 2008 7:08:14 PM

That's Michelle stupid!

Posted by: Brad | Nov 6, 2008 7:10:23 PM

Sounds like Barney needs a session with Cesar Millan. Terriers can be very protective, some breeds more than others, but they are so much fun and can be well trained. I love my Westie.

Posted by: rbrgood | Nov 6, 2008 7:11:15 PM

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