Moldovan dog bites man - but this time, a president

Moldova's President Maia Sandu and her dog greet Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen and Slovenia's President Natasa Pirc Musar in Chisinau, Moldova November 16, 2023, in this handout picture. Maia Sandu via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS

CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldovan President Maia Sandu's dog overturned protocol on Thursday by biting visiting Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen on the hand, Moldovan media reported.

Media reports said the incident occurred when the two leaders were strolling in the courtyard of the presidential residence and Van der Bellen tried to pet the dog, a rescue named Codrut, or small forest.