- Title: Israeli PM's dog bites political visitors
- Date: 10th December 2015
- Summary: JERUSALEM (DECEMBER 10, 2015) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU'S RESIDENCE HANUKKAH MENORAH OUTSIDE RESIDENCE ISRAELI FLAGS SECURITY CAMERA
- Embargoed: 25th December 2015 11:46
- Keywords: Netanyahu dog Kaiya
- Location: JERUSALEM / TEL AVIV, ISRAEL
- City: JERUSALEM / TEL AVIV, ISRAEL
- Country: Israel
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0013D9S7YF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recently adopted dog Kaiya has sunk her teeth into her new position, biting two visitors at an event on Wednesday (December 9), including the husband of the deputy foreign minister.
At a candle-lighting ceremony to mark the Jewish festival of Hannukah, the 10-year-old mixed breed also took a snip at a member of parliament from Netanyahu's Likud party.
Knesset Member Sharren Haskel, a veterinary nurse, dismissed the incident, telling Army Radio it was "trivial".
Netanyahu's son took the dog in from a rescue home earlier this year. The prime minister posted a picture on Twitter in August urging dog-lovers to seek out adult canines to adopt, saying "You won't regret it!".
Canine trainer and animal behaviourist David Sidman said older dogs take time to change behaviour patterns.
"What I recommend for the Netanyahu family to prevent any more bites in the future, is to just get a crate and when guests come over, put the dog in the crate. No contact, it's not worth the risk," he said.
"Or put him in a separate room which is locked so that nobody opens the doors. Just take general safe precautions to make sure there is no contact until they hire a professional trainer behaviourist to evaluate the situation and put them on a programme and give them professional instructions."
Kaiya has met several dignitaries, including U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. Kerry is believed to have escaped unharmed. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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