Power With Bite: World Leaders And Their Pets

In light of recent media reports that the Prime Minister of Israel’s pooch, Kaiya, has been getting to grips with politics around Benjamin Netanyahu's residence a little too literally, BICOM takes a look at some of the world's most prominent leaders and their affection for pets.

1. Israel - Netanyahu and his Dog

Facebook: Netanyahu / Via bbc.co.uk

Netanyahu often shows his love for Kaiya, and dogs in general, on twitter - he recently posted a picture of the two together with the comment “If you want a canine, find an adult dog to rescue. You won't regret it”. According to recent media reports, in a candle lighting ceremony to mark the Jewish festival of Chanukah, Kaiya, who was adopted earlier in 2015 from a rescue home, bit Member of the Knesset Sharren Haskel and the husband of Tzipi Hotovely, Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister, giving both superficial injuries. The pooch has been placed in quarantine.

2. Britain - Downing Street/David Cameron - Larry the Cat

dailymail.co.uk / Via en.wikipedia.org

Larry is No 10 Downing Street’s beloved cat. Born in 2007, he was a rescue cat chosen by staff in order to deal with the problem of rats seen around Downing Street. Larry assumed the office of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office in February 2011. Google Street view pictured Larry in 2012 taking his job as rat catcher very seriously, showing him asleep next to the Number 10 door.

3. USA – Obama’s dogs – Bo and Sunny

commons.wikimedia.org / Via en.wikipedia.org

Bo, the Portuguese Water Dog, was the first pet dog taken in by United States President Obama and his family, in 2009, and is often referred to as the First Dog of the United States. Formally known as Charlie, he was renamed by Malia and Sasha, President Obama's two daughters. In 2012, it seemed the luxury of living in the White House had taken its toll, and Bo was forced to go on a diet to help him shed the extra pounds. In 2013, he gained a younger sister, Sunny, also a Portuguese Water Dog.

4. Russia – Putin’s Dog – Konni/Connie

commons.wikimedia.org / Via en.wikipedia.org

Pictured above is Konni/Connie, Vladimir Putin’s Labrador Retriever. Konni was given to Putin as a gift by General of the Army Sergey Shoyg in 2000. Konni was often seen by Putin’s side, accompanying him to staff meetings and meetings with world leaders. She was famously photographed standing next to the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, who is reportedly terrified of dogs. Konni died in 2014 at the age of 15.

5. North Korea - Kim Jong-Un’s purebred dogs

pixabay.com / Via theguardian.com

Kim Jong-Un has showed much more kindness to the collection of purebred dogs he has acquired than towards his own population. In December 2013, it was reported that Kim Jong-Un had his uncle executed by placing him in a cage with 120 attack dogs, although this story turned out to be false.

6. Thailand - King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s dog - Thong Daeng

pixabay.com / Via thailandhuahin.com

Thong Daeng was adopted by the King of Thailand in 1998 from a litter of stray dogs. Her name means “copper” in Thai and since she is the King’s dog, she is often referred to as “Mrs. Copper”. The King of Thailand even wrote a book about his beloved dog, entitled “The story of Thong Daeng”.

7. Chechnya - Head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov’s tiger

en.wikipedia.org / Via theguardian.com

The leader of war-torn Chechnya has emerged in recent years as an animal lover. The Chechen’s leaders Instagram account has shown him pictured with his pet tiger and kittens. According to Kradyrov he also previously owned a wolf and a bear.