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Groundhog bites Bloomberg at ceremony

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS and NEWSDAY

1:50 PM EST, February 2, 2009

Mayor Michael Bloomberg holds Staten Island Chuck for the big crowd to see this morning at the Staten Island Zoo Monday, February 2, 2009.(Staten Island Advance Photo/ Irving Silverstein / February 2, 2009)

Mayor Michael Bloomberg paid a visit to an apparently-disgruntled constituent nicknamed 'Staten Island Chuck' on Groundhog's Day -- and got bit for his trouble.

Staten Island's famous groundhog, Charles G. Hogg, inexplicably bit Mayor Bloomberg during his annual holiday ceremony on Monday, drawing blood from the billionaire.

Said Bloomberg spokesman Stu Loeser: "It nicked his hand."

Bloomberg wrapped the cut with a napkin until he could check with his doctor.

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He was told there was no risk of rabies. The 2-year-old animal was born and raised in captivity and has had no interaction with other animals.