Dog bites man, but it's news anyway

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The White House dog, Barney, bit a reporter Thursday in Washington, inflicting damage to a finger.

Jon Decker, a White House correspondent for Reuters Television, encountered the dog while Barney was being walked on the North Lawn, Politico reported. He reached out to pet him and Barney responded with his teeth.

"As a result of the bleeding, I was treated by White House physician Dr. Richard Tubb," Decker told Politico, saying he was prescribed antibiotics and was to get a tetanus shot Friday.

Decker said he expects to make a complete recovery.

Barney will, of course, be leaving Washington for Texas in just over two months with President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush -- to be replaced by the dog that President-elect Barack Obama promised his daughters Tuesday night after winning the election.