Former French President Chirac hospitalised after mauling by his clinically depressed poodle

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Contender for the Headline of the Month.

Quote:

Former French President Chirac hospitalised after mauling by his clinically depressed poodle

The Daily Mail
21 January 2009

Former French president Jacques Chirac was rushed to hospital after being mauled by his own 'clinically depressed' pet dog.

The 76-year-old statesman was savaged by his white Maltese dog - which suffers from frenzied fits and is being treated with anti-depressants.

The animal, named Sumo, had become increasingly violent over the past years and was prone to making 'vicious, unprovoked attacks', Chirac's wife Bernadette said.

The former president, who ruled France for 12 years until 2007, was taken to hospital in Paris where he was treated as an outpatient and sent home, VSD magazine reported.

Mrs Chirac said: 'The dog went for him for no apparent reason.

'We were already aware the animal was unpredictable and is actually being treated with pills for depression.

'My husband was bitten quite badly, but he is certain to make a full recovery over the coming weeks.'

The former French First Lady did not reveal where on his body Chirac was bitten.

The pet, named after the Japanese form of wrestling, was a gift to the Chiracs from their grandson Martin.

Recent polls have shown that since leaving office Chirac is now regarded as one of the most popular politicians in France, liked by 70 per cent of people.

In the last days of his presidency, he was much less popular, liked by just 50 per cent of the population.

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Type: Discussion • Score: 10 • Views: 10,033 • Replies: 29

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Sounds like their dog might be related to that viscious Bush family dog called Barney, the one that bites reporters that get too close.

1 Reply

@Butrflynet,

Barney's a Westie, that's what poorly trained Westies do.

I gotta say, being hospitalized following attack-by-Maltese can't be good for one's manly self-image...

1 Reply

In that photo that dog's got a 'killer eye'......

0 Replies

I was sitting in the dining area of the house I am house-sitting and saw a white poodle, a little on the dingy side, peering in through the slider door. Got up, opened the slider and then about ten more dogs appeared. Oddly enough I wasn't scared, even tho they were barking at me. I grabbed my keys and activated the panic button on my car which caused them to scatter. I called the humane society and reported it. I've seen the pack a couple of more times, so it doesn't look like the HS did anything about it.

I am so glad I didn't get attacked. I was mauled by a doberman once. It is scary.

1 Reply

@nimh,

How do they determine that the dog is clinically depressed and not just reacting to Jacques aftershave?

0 Replies

@nimh,

Oh dear.

Bummer.

A MALTESE, you say?

1 Reply

@dlowan,

worse than that, An "ATTACK" Maltese. Very dangerous doggies. Mr Chirac is fortunate to have escaped with his life.

After the attack, the MAltese went over to a corner and was feeling very guilty. Hes on Zoloft.

3 Replies

@farmerman,

Sounds like it's suffering from a bad case of too little discipline and too much indulgence...thinks it's the damn pack leader.

A MALTESE!

0 Replies

@nimh,

Quote:

Mrs Chirac said: 'The dog went for him for no apparent reason

Perhaps the dog isn't clinically depressed at all & simply doesn't like Mr Chirac?

1 Reply

@msolga,

msolga wrote:

Quote:
Mrs Chirac said: 'The dog went for him for no apparent reason

Perhaps the dog isn't clinically depressed at all & simply doesn't like Mr Chirac?

or his political or economic philosophy

1 Reply

@OmSigDAVID,

Might well be that the dog is a socialist who doesn't like conservatives.

1 Reply

@Sglass,

Sglass wrote:

I was sitting in the dining area of the house I am house-sitting and saw a white poodle, a little on the dingy side, peering in through the slider door. Got up, opened the slider and then about ten more dogs appeared. Oddly enough I wasn't scared, even tho they were barking at me. I grabbed my keys and activated the panic button on my car which caused them to scatter. I called the humane society and reported it. I've seen the pack a couple of more times, so it doesn't look like the HS did anything about it.

I am so glad I didn't get attacked.
I was mauled by a doberman once. It is scary.

About ten summers ago,
in a grassy park-like area, I saw a big Afganistanian-Husky mix dog named Boris.

I commented to his humans that he looked happy, sitting there.
His ears immediately perked up and his eyes locked onto me.
He slowly ambled toward me, with a huge smile on his face,
until he got about a yard away from me,
whereupon, he pulled up part of his upper lip into a snarl,
he went airborne, and came in for a landing with one of his fangs
implanted in my bare left forearm.

I looked down on him disdainfully,
as if to say: "what the hell r YOU doing ?" and he broke off
the attack instantly, sat down and resumed his huge smile.

My left forearm looked like it had been hit by a .22 caliber slug.
Blood fell out of it.

I assured Boris' humans that I woud not sue.
I did not.

David

0 Replies

@Walter Hinteler,

Quote:

Might well be that the dog is a socialist who doesn't like conservatives.

That thought had crossed my mind, Walter! Wink

1 Reply

@farmerman,

LOL

0 Replies

@farmerman,

LOL

0 Replies

@msolga,

... or maybe he favours Mrs Chirac?

1 Reply

@msolga,

msolga wrote:

... or maybe he favours Mrs Chirac?

Is that like an Oedipus complex ?
His veterinarian 's diagnosis ?

1 Reply

@OmSigDAVID,

Nothing as deep or as complicated as that, David.

Take another look at the photograph:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/01/21/article-0-00712B7A00000258-678_468x286.jpg

Obviously this dog is a very important presence in Mr & Mrs Chirac's lives. Possibly they compete for his affections, even? Which could go to a dog's head & cause him to be rather nasty & bossy at times - all that power & all ....
He obviously thinks he runs the show!

1 Reply

@patiodog,

patiodog wrote:

Barney's a Westie, that's what poorly trained Westies do.

Barney's a Scottie, not a Westie.

Barney

Westie

1 Reply

Former French President Chirac hospitalised after mauling by his clinically depressed poodle

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