Commander, the German Shepherd belonging to President Joe Biden’s family, sunk its teeth into Secret Service agents a staggering 24 times. The incidents occurred at various locations, including the White House.
According to a CNN report, the extent of Commander’s aggression is detailed in the archives of the US Secret Service. A senior agent highlighted that the Secret Service had to modify its approach, advising officers to “give lots of room” when the canine was present. The need for this adjustment was emphasized in a memo circulated among the US Secret Service Presidential Protective Division in June 2023. The memo stated, “The recent dog bites have challenged us to adjust our operational tactics when Commander is present – please give lots of room,” cautioning agents to be creative in ensuring their own safety.
The alarming warning preceded the eventual removal of Commander from the White House due to multiple biting incidents witnessed by Secret Service agents. Commander was presented as a gift to President Biden from his brother James in December 2021.
New records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request reveal a disturbing pattern of biting incidents between October 2022 and July 2023. Secret Service agents found themselves bitten on various body parts, including the wrist, forearm, elbow, waist, chest, thigh, and shoulder. Shockingly, these documents only cover Secret Service employees, excluding those working in the White House and Camp David in Maryland.
In one harrowing incident in June 2023, an agent sustained a “deep bite” on the forearm, necessitating stitches. The resulting blood on the floor led to the suspension of tours in the East Wing of the White House for 20 minutes. Another agent required six stitches in July after being bitten on the hand, with an email revealing the severity of the injuries and the significant amount of blood lost.
Commander’s departure from the White House in October 2023 came a week after an agent needed medical treatment for a severe dog bite. This brings to mind the removal of Major, a former presidential dog, from the White House two years prior for similar reasons.
Commander’s biting spree has not only raised concerns about the safety of Secret Service agents but also highlights the complexities of managing a presidential pet within the confines of high-security environments.