Commander, the two-year-old German Shepherd owned by President Joe Biden, reportedly engaged in its 11th recorded biting incident on Monday evening at the White House, when it bit a US Secret Service agent, according to CNN’s sources.
“Yesterday around 8 p.m., a Secret Service Uniformed Division police officer came in contact with a First Family pet and was bitten. The officer was treated by medical personnel on complex,” Anthony Guglielmi, the Chief of Communications for the United States Secret Service, provided a statement to CNN.
The wounded officer had a conversation with Alfonso M. Dyson Sr., who serves as the Chief of the Secret Service Uniformed Division, on Tuesday and is reported to be in stable condition, as confirmed by Guglielmi.
As per information obtained from CNN’s investigation and email correspondence within the US Secret Service, Commander has been linked to a minimum of 11 biting episodes both at the White House and in Delaware. This includes a distressing incident in November 2022 when an officer required hospitalization due to injuries sustained when the dog bit their arms and thighs.
White House authorities previously announced in July that the Bidens were actively addressing the situation by implementing fresh training methods and leash guidelines for their family pet in response to these situations.
When questioned by CNN about whether the recent training had been implemented or if additional measures were being considered, Elizabeth Alexander, who serves as the communications director for the first lady, responded in a statement that the First Family is persistently exploring methods to assist Commander in managing the frequently unforeseeable conditions of the White House premises.
“The President and First Lady are incredibly grateful to the Secret Service and Executive Residence staff for all they do to keep them, their family, and the country safe.”
One of President Biden’s other dogs, Major, was also implicated in biting episodes while at the White House. Subsequently, the German Shepherd was relocated from the White House, and Commander took up residence there in 2021.
Email exchanges from July, which were acquired through Freedom of Information Act inquiries conducted by the conservative organization Judicial Watch, documented a total of 10 incidents.
During one of these occurrences in October, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden struggled to regain command of the dog as it aggressively approached a member of the Secret Service staff.
