Records obtained from the Department of Homeland Security reveal that President Joe Biden’s dog, Commander, has been involved in at least 10 incidents of biting or attacking Secret Service personnel between October 2022 and January. One incident was so severe that it required a hospital visit by the injured officer. These revelations come as conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch releases nearly 200 pages of Secret Service records that it obtained through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.
The group filed the lawsuit after the agency failed to adequately respond to their request for records about biting incidents involving Commander, a purebred German shepherd. The decision to investigate Commander’s behavior came after the group received a tip regarding his aggressive actions.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that one of President Biden’s dogs has shown aggressive behavior. Major, another German shepherd belonging to the President, was ultimately sent to live with friends in Delaware after similar incidents with Secret Service personnel and White House staff.
While the White House and the Secret Service downplayed the situation, the recent string of incidents raises concerns about why the Bidens decided to bring another German shepherd into the executive mansion and why these attacks have continued.
Elizabeth Alexander, the communications director for First Lady Jill Biden, acknowledged that the White House complex can be a stressful environment for family pets. She stated that the Biden family is actively working on improving the situation for everyone involved.
Anthony Guglielmi, the chief spokesperson for the Secret Service, emphasized that his agency takes the safety and well-being of its employees seriously. Over the years, they have navigated how to best operate around family pets, and these incidents are no exception. The Secret Service is responsible for providing security protection to the President and his family, with officers stationed around the executive mansion and its extensive grounds.
Commander was gifted to President Biden by his brother James in December 2021. The recently released records only cover a portion of Commander’s time as a presidential pet. It’s worth mentioning that the Biden family also has a cat named Willow.
Conclusion
The recent revelation that President Biden’s dog, Commander, has been involved in numerous biting incidents with Secret Service personnel raises concerns about the safety and well-being of those within the White House complex. While steps are being taken to address the situation, questions remain regarding the decision to bring another German shepherd into the executive mansion. As the President and his family navigate their roles in the public eye, measures must be put in place to ensure the safety of both humans and pets alike.
Secret Service Investigates Biting Incident Involving Commander, the First Family’s Dog
In a shocking turn of events on November 3, 2022, a Secret Service official reported that Commander, the beloved pet dog of the First Family, had bitten a uniformed officer not once, but twice. The officer sustained bites on the upper right arm and thigh, prompting immediate medical attention from the White House medical unit. Eventually, the decision was made to transport the officer to a hospital for further treatment.
Following the incident, a captain of the Uniform Division provided an update, assuring colleagues that Commander was up to date on his vaccinations. It seems that this unfortunate incident was an unexpected outburst from the usually docile canine.
The following day, additional information came to light about the attack. It was revealed that the officer had somehow managed to protect himself from another attack by using a steel cart. Nonetheless, due to the severity of the incident, doctors advised placing the officer on restricted duty for several days.
In response to these distressing events, President Biden and the First Lady have been working closely with the Secret Service and White House residence staff to implement improved leashing protocols and training for Commander. Additionally, designated areas are being established where the energetic pup can freely exercise and run around.
Acknowledging the dedication and commitment of the Secret Service and Executive Residence staff in safeguarding the First Family, White House spokesperson Alexander expressed profound gratitude on behalf of President Biden and the First Lady.
It’s worth noting that incidents involving first-family pets are handled meticulously by the Secret Service. Job-related injuries are encouraged to be reported promptly to supervisors for appropriate documentation and actions. In this particular case, previous incidents involving first-family pets were handled similarly, ensuring that all relevant notifications and reporting procedures were followed.
While special agents and officers are not responsible for caring or handling first-family pets, collaborative efforts are made with all relevant entities to mitigate any adverse impacts in an environment that includes pets.
Commander, often seen under the watchful eye of the White House’s chief groundskeeper, continues to roam the premises. However, the recent biting incidents have raised concerns and garnered significant attention, with the New York Post being the first to report on the unfortunate events.
Amidst it all, the President and First Lady remain grateful for the relentless dedication and unwavering commitment of the Secret Service and Executive Residence staff in ensuring their safety, as well as the safety of their family and the entire nation.