Merkel has reportedly been afraid of dogs since she was bitten by one in 1995. <a href='http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/21/business/russia-merkel-putin-defterios/index.html'>Russian President Vladimir Putin</a>, apparently aware of her dislike of the animals, made headlines by bringing his pet Labrador Koni into a meeting with Merkel in 2007.
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