Shih Tzu bites Home Depot greeter's nose

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OTTAWA, April 19 (UPI) -- Home Depot Canada is considering policy changes after a greeter lost part of her nose when she tried to pet a customer's pet Shih Tzu dog in suburban Ottawa.

Greeter Anne Riel, 39, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. the little dog was in a shopping cart being pushed by its unidentified 74-year-old owner Friday when the dog bit her.

"No sooner had I slightly bent down … [when] the dog bit my nose with its entire mouth," Riel said.

A small piece of her nose is missing after emergency plastic surgery and Riel will need more procedures, the report said.

The owner of the dog tried to leave, but was stopped by paramedics. City officials said they expect to charge the owner. The maximum fine is $600 and the court could also order the dog to be euthanized, the CBC said.

"Please, please understand it's not only the pit bulls and German shepherds and the big dogs that are nasty," Riel said. "The small dogs can be just as nasty and that's what's deceiving."

She said she is considering suing the dog's owner.

Meanwhile, Home Depot said while it has signs up saying only service dogs for the handicapped are allowed in the stores, the policy hasn't been strictly enforced and that is being reviewed at head office.