US President Joe Biden’s two-year-old German Shepherd, Commander, reportedly bit a US Secret Service agent at the White House on Monday morning. This incident marks the 11th time that Commander has bitten a guard either at the White House or at the Biden family residence, according to a CNN report.
United States Secret Service (USSS) Chief of Communications, Anthony Guglielmi, stated that the latest incident occurred around 8 pm on Monday when a Secret Service Uniformed Division police officer came into contact with the First Family pet and was subsequently bitten. The injured officer received medical treatment on the premises. Fortunately, the officer spoke with Secret Service Uniformed Division Chief Alfonso M Dyson Senior on Tuesday and is reported to be in stable condition.
Notably, Commander has been involved in at least 11 biting incidents, both at the White House and in Delaware. This includes a particularly severe incident in November 2022 when an officer had to be hospitalized due to injuries sustained when the dog bit their arms and thighs. This information is based on CNN reporting and US Secret Service email correspondence.
Earlier in July, White House officials had announced that the Bidens were implementing new training and leash protocols for Commander in an effort to address his aggressive behavior. Elizabeth Alexander, the communications director for the First Lady, stated that the First Family is actively working on strategies to help Commander adapt to the often unpredictable environment of the White House grounds. She expressed gratitude to the Secret Service and Executive Residence staff for their efforts in ensuring the safety of the President, First Lady, and the nation.
It’s worth noting that Biden’s other dog, Major, was also involved in biting incidents at the White House. Major was subsequently relocated from the White House, and Commander arrived at the White House in 2021, as reported by CNN.
However, email correspondence from July, obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests by the conservative group Judicial Watch, indicated a total of 10 biting incidents involving Commander.
In a separate incident in October, First Lady Jill Biden recounted an incident where she “couldn’t regain control” of Commander as the dog charged towards a member of the Secret Service staff.
Also Read: At 2+2 dialogue, US-India emphasise transformative momentum in ties for Indo-Pacific security
Catch all the Latest Business News, Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on NewsX
