A family friend of the Obamas was bit by one of their dogs during a visit to the White House, TMZ reported on Thursday.
On Monday, an 18-year-old girl was visiting the Obamas and went to give Sunny, one of the family’s Portuguese Water Dogs, a kiss on the cheek. Sunny responded by biting the guest on the face, leaving a wound which required stitches from White House physician Dr. Ronny Jackson.
The attack is out of character for Portuguese Water Dogs, who are usually considered by dog breeders to be good for family households. As its name suggests, the breed traces its origins back to Portugal, where it served as companions to fishermen who valued them for their excellent swimming. The breed arrived in the United States in the 1960s and was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1983.
Sunny is the second dog adopted by the Obamas. Their first dog, Bo, accompanied the Obamas to the White House in 2009 and was famously referenced in Barack Obama’s victory speech when he told his daughters that they would be getting a new puppy as a victory present. Sunny was added to the Obama family in August 2013 and was introduced to the public through First Lady Michelle Obama’s Twitter account.
The White House has not yet commented on the incident.
