Oct 2 2009 Chirac gives away ‘violent’ dog Sumo, a Maltese terrier, is reported to have bitten him in the stomach in their apartment in the capital, Paris. Mr Chirac's wife, Bernadette, said the dog had been treated for depression after finding it difficult to come to terms with leaving the Elysee Palace. via BBC. Share this:ShareEmailPrintFacebookTwitterStumbleUponDiggLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post.