The nation’s chief apologises to her visitor for the canine breach of worldwide protocol and says her rescue pet, Codrut, had turn out to be frightened by giant numbers of individuals close by.
Saturday 18 November 2023 14:16, UK
Biting the hand of friendship took on a literal that means throughout an official go to by Austria’s president to Moldova when the nation’s “first canine” nipped him.
But the canine breach of worldwide protocol did not bitter relations and Alexander van der Bellen confirmed all was forgiven by later presenting Moldovan President Maia Sandu with a small toy for her rescue pet on the final day of his journey.
Footage from native media confirmed Mr van der Bellen standing with Ms Sandu and Codrut, throughout his go to to the capital, Chisinau, on Friday.
When the Austrian president leaned right down to stroke the animal it snapped at him, briefly biting his hand.
Ms Sandu apologised in English and defined the canine had turn out to be frightened by giant numbers of individuals close by.
Mr van Der Bellen appeared together with his hand bandaged at his subsequent assembly, with the speaker of Moldova’s parliament.
His workplace stated: “It was a small wound that was handled with a bandage,” including that the Austrian president “is doing effectively”.
Mr van der Bellen was assembly with Ms Sandu and Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar to debate Moldova’s bid to hitch the European Union.
The Austrian president later posted concerning the incident on his Instagram web page, acknowledging it “prompted a little bit of a stir”.
“Everyone who is aware of me is aware of that I’m a giant canine lover and might perceive his pleasure,” Mr van der Bellen stated.
“He was nervous due to all of the folks round him.”
Ms Sandu took within the canine after it was hit by a automobile.
It is just not the primary time a presidential pet has confronted the doghouse.
Last month it was introduced Joe Biden’s German shepherd, Commander, had been faraway from the White House after biting brokers and employees.
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The two-year-old had attacked members of the US Secret Service 10 instances between October 2022 and January 2023.
One feminine officer lately required medical remedy.
Commander was a present to the US president in December 2021 from his brother James.
He is the second of the Bidens’ dogs on the White House that has behaved aggressively.
Another German shepherd named Major was despatched to reside with associates in Delaware after additionally biting employees and Secret Service officers.
The service offers safety safety for the president and his household, and scores of its officers are posted across the government mansion and its grounds.
