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Groundhog Bites Bloomberg

Groundhog bite Mayor Mike Bloomberg

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 2, 2009 6:00 PM CST

(Newser) – Winter may only last another six weeks, but this is one Groundhog Day that New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg will likely remember for a lot longer. Staten Island's resident groundhog, Chuck, bit Bloomberg on his left index finger during the annual ceremony that predicts the start of spring, the New York Times reports.

Bloomberg was bitten while attempting to coax the reluctant rodent from its shelter, first with an ear of corn (which Chuck swiftly wrested from the mayor) and then by dragging the reclusive creature out into public view with his gloved hands. But Chuck “was basically concentrating on his food,” said a spokesperson at the zoo where the ceremony was held. “The mayor’s fingers may have just been there.”

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

Bite me! Staten Island's groundhog bit New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg at the traditional Groundhog Day prognostication. (New York Daily News)

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was bitten on the finger by by Staten Island's groundhog, Chuck. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

John Griffiths, one of the handlers of Punxsutawney Phil, had better luck than New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was bitten on the finger by Staten Island's groundhog, Chuck. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

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Here's one Groundhog Day that New York Mayor Bloomberg hopes never repeats itself again. (SwimmingPolarBear)

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Groundhog Bites Bloomberg

Groundhog bite Mayor Mike Bloomberg

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New Yorkers Living Longer Than Most of Us

City's life expectancy now 2 years above national average

'Al-Qaeda Sympathizer' Busted in NYC Bomb Plot

'Lone wolf' Jose Pimentel was 'hour away' from finishing first bomb: Cops

Judge Rules Against Zuccotti Park Protesters

Says Mayor Bloomberg had right to clear Occupy Wall Street protesters

Mayor Bloomberg to OWS: Blame Congress, Not Banks

Washington pushed those shaky mortgages, 'plain and simple'

NYPD Spied on NYC's Muslim Anti-Terror Partners

Undercover cops infiltrated moderate mosques

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Groundhog Bites Bloomberg

Groundhog bite Mayor Mike Bloomberg

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[Images (3)]

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

New York City • Michael Bloomberg • animal attack • groundhog day • Staten Island zoo • Staten Island Chuck

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

New Yorkers Living Longer Than Most of Us

City's life expectancy now 2 years above national average

'Al-Qaeda Sympathizer' Busted in NYC Bomb Plot

'Lone wolf' Jose Pimentel was 'hour away' from finishing first bomb: Cops

Judge Rules Against Zuccotti Park Protesters

Says Mayor Bloomberg had right to clear Occupy Wall Street protesters

Mayor Bloomberg to OWS: Blame Congress, Not Banks

Washington pushed those shaky mortgages, 'plain and simple'

NYPD Spied on NYC's Muslim Anti-Terror Partners

Undercover cops infiltrated moderate mosques

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Newser By Users

Community

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More News

What is Newser?