Mayor Bloomberg is Scared of Staten Island Chuck!

Image above is a Photoshop illustration; Staten Island Chuck only needed to rely on his teeth for combat

At 7:30 a.m. this morning, Mayor Bloomberg was at the Staten Island Zoo, awaiting the appearance of Staten Island Chuck, the borough's Groundhog Eminence Grise. However, when the mayor tried to coax Chuck out of his little Groundhog Day house, the Staten Island Advance reports, "Chuck snapped at the mayor's hand, grabbed the tasty treat and ran back in. As Bloomberg reached for him, the groundhog tried hiding in the corner before eventually being lifted out."

A spokesman confirmed that Bloomberg was "nicked," but his shots were up-to-date so no tetanus worries. But the Mayor referred to Chuck during a later press conference, suggesting the groundhog might be a "terrorist rodent" and was perhaps trained by Al Qaeda. Politicker NY has that video, but below is video of Mayor Bloomberg trying to handle Chuck.

Mayor bit by groundhog

This much is clear: Chuck is a force of nature. After the jump, the extended video of Bloomberg and Chuck.

Groundhog Day

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on February 2, 2009 5:00 PM

Comments [rss]

JMH

Why the hell are we copying some podunk town in Pennsylvania? And not only that, but copying one of the stupidest traditions in the whole country.

Not Your Sweetie

Go Chuck! he made the cover of the Daily News as well as get the gratitude of many fed up New Yorkers!

longacre

Now we know even the most expensive leather gloves are NOT groundhog-proof.

Of course Chuck is testy...the city's zoos are going to be in sorry shape after the state and city budgets eliminate most of their government funding. Chuck might be living on the E train by next Groundhog's Day.

Mike Licht

The Staten Island Zoo was also holding a Blood Drive on Monday.

Really.

snoopydog

The only thing good about groundhogs is they make good targets for farmers with 30:06 rifles with scopes. They do not contribute to the world's economy and fart while in their dens causing massive methane clouds which will destroy the earth's atmosphere.

Joe Schumacher

Chuck is still my hero. Love the photoshop, Jen!

Jen Chung

:) Jake gave an assist.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

Bloomberg called Chuck a terrorist rodent, seriously.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lAQSA60poo&eurl=http://www.politickerny.com/&feature=player_embedded

Future Taliban

I hope the groundhog wasn't poisoned when it bit the douchebag & is doing OK.

The Edge

I'd have thought felixthecat would have been the first person to comment here.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

thanks for thinking of me. Been kind of busy. Bloomberg actually called innocent Chuck a terrorist rodent. Bloomberg is the real terrorist. He killed democracy in NYC

jt10000

He should have laser beams on his head. That would be boss.

Jen Chung

I'm pretty sure City Council Speaker Quinn didn't handle Chuck at last year's Groundhog Day event, but maybe Mayor Bloomberg wanted a photo op in this election year.