Bush's dog Barney bites Reuters reporter

[Amerigo Vespucci]

President Bush's dog bites Reuters reporter

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/President_Bushs_dog_bites_Reuters_reporter_1106.html



President Bush has often had a contentious relationship with the press. But through his two terms there was never any reports of anyone needing medical attention after White House meetings. Until today, that is.

MSNBC's Tamron Hall reported that President Bush's dog, Barney, bit a Reuters reporter following a gathering of White House employees. The reporter, John Decker, was given medical treatment. It was not known what part of his body received the bite.

"This is not a joke," Hall said. "He had to go to the hospital. We are told that he is fine."

Then the MSNBC reporter did joke.

"Apparently Barney does not want to leave the White House, and he is a little tense after Tuesday," she mocked.

Hall added, "And I guess Senator Obama and his family should keep that in mind when they are shopping for the dog or the puppy they promised the kids. Be nice to reporters."

"Come on, that's not a story," a blogger named Gottalaff posted at The Political Carnival. "Reporter bites dog... now that's a story!"

Alexandra Blair, in a Times Online column, written before today's bite incident, detailed other presidential dog stories.

"Theodore Roosevelt, who worked hard on his macho image, kept a pitbull, Pete, that nearly provoked a diplomatic incident when it attacked the French Ambassador, tearing the seat out of his trousers," Blair wrote. "Pete was banished to Roosevelt's home on Long Island."

Blair adds, "Gerald Ford, had a more practical use for Liberty, his golden retriever, whistling for her to come and break up boring meetings."

This video is from MSNBC's News Live, broadcast November 6, 2008: http://rawstory.com/news/2008/President_Bushs_dog_bites_Reuters_reporter_1106.html