Barney the White House dog bites reporter; mad at liberal press bias?

Barney the first dog bit a White House reporter today.

Apparently it wasn't the first time. Jon Decker, a political reporter for Reuters, had just finished a live shot for MSNBC at 10:35 a.m. when he spotted Barney and his handler on a walk. He bent down to pet him. Look out.

Maybe Barney, a Scottish terrier, was fed up with liberal media bias. Maybe he was unhappy with how ungrateful Americans seem to be for President Bush's leadership. Or maybe he was just snarling to get out of there.

One thing is clear: Despite high popularity ratings of their own (the Barney cam is a much-visited feature of the White House website) he and Miss Beazley are moving out. And Barack Obama, who promised his daughters Malia and Sasha that they could get a puppy once the political campaign had ended, has OKd a spring arrival for the new first dog.

Speculation is rampant in Washington about the breed of the new first puppy. Malia Obama, a 10-year-old with allergies, has apparently fallen for the cockapoodle, partly because the breed is hypoallergenic. After a lobbying campaign by animal rights activists in the fall, Obama voted for a rescued dog.

-- Johanna Neuman

Comments

[Sbechtel78]

I hope they get the cockapoo....I have one, she is a great dog. So cute....

[Jack Schelin]

Obama voted for a rescued DOG.... but kills babies indescriminately

[matt]

I really hope Obama chooses to adopt a dog from the pound and doesn't go to some puppy mill. He can adopt a purebred if he wants, but I would sure recommend a mutt, which are smarter, and have less health problems.

[A Sanico MD]

The Obamas have been talking publicly about getting a "hypoallergenic" dog for their daughter who has asthma. One concern is that this can lead to disappointing - if not seriously detrimental - consequences for the future First Family and others in a similar situation. There is, unfortunately, no such thing as a truly non-allergenic or hypoallergenic dog. Dogs (and cats for that matter) produce protein allergens that can be found in their dander and saliva, regardless of their breed or the length and color of their hair, or lack thereof. Some may produce more - or less - allergens than others simply because of their individual nature. Allergen immunotherapy may be an option for those who wish to be desensitized to such allergens.

[Linda]

Would someone PLEASE point out the STUPIDITY of the reporter!!! everyone knows NOT to put their hand above the dogs head to pet it. You're ALWAYS suppose to put out your hand palm DOWN under the dogs muzzle!! IF the dog backs away, fine, if it sniffs/licks your hand then MAYBE you've made a friend.

"Obama voted for a rescued DOG.... but kills babies indescriminately"-- What a DUMB, ignorant comment. The women who opt to have abortions are the ones responsible for their own actions. This is America. No one should be forced to do anything against their will. Just because the President-elect is supportive of a woman's right to chose, doesn't mean he encourages women to abort or discourages adoption.

[Pit Mommy]

I only wish for the first family to put a lot of thought into what breed of dog they get/adopt. Remember 101 Dalmations craze? Then after everyone ran out to get one, they found out it wasn't the dog for them & the dogs ended up in the pound.

Everyone is watching this play out & whatever dog they choose, will be the newest fad dog. I would not like to see them get one of the so-called designer breeds because it will only fuel the fires for the puppy mills churning out these puppies by the dozens.

Also, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic or nonallergenic pet. The only one that is, is a fish. I hope they don't fall for that ruse.

[Liz]

Look, I never voted for Bush and I'm so glad Obama will be our next President, but, I think we all should cut Barney some slack. The poor guy is cranky right now. Wouldn't you be? And that reporter WAS annoying! ;-)

[Daisy]

So is the dog ok?? (I'm talking about Barney)

[stuffy]

Actually, Barney had been fitted with titanium teeth by a highly classified department of Northrup Grumman and was on a classified mission. He is being readied for his next mission.

[Jane Cubelli]

I don't like reporters either. Yay, Barney!

[Badmutt]

Good boy Barney. Considering the guy is working for MSNBC you should have gone for the jewels.

If they would let me I would send you a bag of cookies for that one. Good puppy!

[Bite Marks]

Oddly enough, Barney bit me in September 2003. Was picking up piece of trash on the WH lawn, and he came out from under a bush and "chomp".

[Understanding]

While I am scared to death of dogs, because they like to bite me, I don't blame Barney. I can see why he would want to bite everyone in the media. I am a proud Republican and if I could get by with it, I would bite all our major media people. Their biassed reporting during the election was totally unprofessional. This is not "sour grapes", because I don't blame the Democrats(eventhough they didn't have to sling mud...press did it for them), I think Obama being elected will be okay for our country. But......he is going to have to live up to what has been shoved down our throats, and if he doesn't we Republicans get to start whining and bitching like the Democrats have been doing for the last 8 years.

[gregory Reese]

"... mad at liberal press bias?" Ha, Ha, ha... yeah that darned librul press never cut Gee Dubya any slack a-tall.
Seriously, looking that dog's behavior I'll guarantee you that the poor thing has been kicked or abused in some manner.
I've been around dogs my entire life and have been training them for nearly fifteen years, and that animal has been mistreated.
Whether or not the mistreatment was at the hands of someone who used to blow up frogs as a boy, and has a known penchant for making cruel jokes at other's expense, I have no way of knowing.

[Donna]

If you knew Scottish Terriers, you would understand that Barney was just upset because he found out he wasn't the first black president in the White House :)

[Bill Channon]

Dogs are just like reporters. When a dog urinates on a fire hydrant, it's not being a vandal, it's just being a dog.

[Ann Marie]

I have had Scotties all my life and the way this reporter approached Barney with his hand up and papers in his hand, surely gave Barney the idea he was going to be punished or hit with newspapers. You just don't come at a dog without coming down to their level especially with a gang of people surrounding the dog who was more than likely scared.
Reporter should have known to back off and not touch the dog.
Barney didn't look happy to begin with and bottom line is to look and not touch.

I have never been biten by any of my Scotties and I can touch them and handle them and bath them and play and romp with them.
Reporters need to back off and get a real job.

And good for Obama thinking of getting a rescue.

[Alisa]

Any person who knows dogs could see that Barney didn't want to be there. He was not looking at reporters and was turning away. Clearly the dog was uncomfortable and was out of his element.
And this reporter said his mother has a Scottie and he should have known better. The way he put his hand up to Barney's face was a big NO NO.
Never do that to any dog. Always palms down.
Stupid person.
Barney should be on AB

[Lulu And Lolly]

We are two Maltese dogs and would like to point out on behalf of all dogs that when you're low to the ground, like we are, and then a big hand comes at your face, it's not such a happy thing. Also, Barney is probably bummed because he has to move out of the big white house where they have their own cook -- Barney probably has outstanding meals right now. Your Insightful PaLs, LuLu and LoLLy. http://www.luluandlolly.com

[Terrier (Westie) owner]

As a proud West Highland White Terrier family member, I hope that everyone learns their lesson from this episode with poor Barney. When a dog exhibits signs of withdrawal and discomfort like Barney did, don't exacerbate the situation by lunging forward quickly and dropping your hand on TOP of the dog's head. Correct approaching dog etiquette is to move slowly, approaching respectfully from the side and bringing one's hand gently BELOW the dog's head for them to sniff - NEVER touch the dog first!!! And parents - please - make sure you ask the person holding or walking the dog FIRST - "Is your dog friendly? May I (or my child) pet your dog?" before getting anywhere near the dog.

And as an aside - this episode with Barney PALES in comparison with Mitt Romney's horrific treatment of his own family dog - strapping the poor dog to the roof of the car for a 12-hour road trip; the dog was so terrified his diarrhea ran all down the sides of the car. Romney should have gone to jail for animal abuse.

[Lydia]

God Bless little Barney, I will truly miss him.

I dont think people should hate dogs if they were bit by one

Oh, this article is about an ACTUAL dog. Ya stumped me, I thought it was going to be about Barney Frank!