Moldovan president's dog bites hand of visiting Austrian president

The Moldovan president's dog has bitten the hand of Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen.

President Maia Sandu had been walking with her guest in the grounds of the presidential residence in Chisinau, when he tried to pet her dog and the etiquette faux-pas occurred.

The dog, a rescue called Codrut, had been frightened by the number of people nearby, President Sandu said.

President Van der Bellen was later seen with a bandaged hand at his next meeting, with the speaker of Moldova's parliament.

Moldova, which borders Ukraine and Romania, has been hosting talks with Austria and Slovenia, in its efforts to join the EU.