Diplomat’s pooch causes diplomatic problems
No one is talking settlement after a carpenter working in the German Embassy in Ottawa was bitten by the Ambassador’s dog, Milou. The carpenter, Mark Liboiron, was treated after the 25 kg (55 lb) dog bit his hand. He suffered three puncture wounds and gashes. He was off work for a week and would like to be compensated for his injury. Nothing more. According to Liboiron, the Ambassador’s wife had promised him compensation.
Official embassy spokesperson, Peter Finger:
We want to make it absolutely clear. We do not claim any diplomatic immunity. … There are ways and structures here in Canada which we want to observe and go through, and find a proper solution. … I think in a country like Canada … you do not deal with these things by saying, ‘I have diplomatic immunity.’
Peter, that was anything but clear. However, if the Germans were thinking of using the “Diplomatic Immunity for Our Dog” strategy, they need only call over to the Russian Embassy for a primer. Back in November of 1999, a couple of Alsatian dogs belonging to the Russian Ambassador in London were accused of more than 200 attacks on local sheep that left over 50 sheep dead. (The dogs were kept at the Russian’s country cottage in Kent.) This is what the Russian Ambassador had to say back then:
The estate is our property and everything there is covered by diplomatic immunity according to the International Convention so yes the dogs have immunity.
So it would seem, that should the Germans claim immunity for their pooch, it would be covered under international protocols. Now you know.
Barbara Kay should be all over this…soon.
BTW The dog is a Golden Retriever.
Have you noticed whenever someone says they want to make something absolutely clear, they never do?
Possibly…