President Biden’s family dog, Commander, a German shepherd, has been reported to have bitten US Secret Service personnel in at least 24 incidents, according to new internal documents revealed through a Freedom of Information Act request. The documented bites took place at the White House and at other locations, including the Biden family homes in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Camp David, and Nantucket, Massachusetts.
The bites have been a significant workplace concern for staff supporting White House operations. In response to the incidents, the Secret Service has had to modify its operational tactics to ensure the safety of its agents. An email from an assistant special agent in charge of the Presidential Protective Division instructed team members to give Commander “lots of room” and to be “creative to ensure our own personal safety.”
Some of the incidents resulted in considerable injury, with reports of deep wounds and significant blood loss. One July 29, 2023, incident in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, described an attack that left an agent with a “severe deep open wound” requiring six stitches to his forearm, along with antibiotic treatment. On June 11, 2023, a special agent received a bite that resulted in a torn shirt and two small lacerations.
The Biden family has expressed “awful” over the series of biting incidents, with a source close to the family noting they were “heartbroken” and had apologized to those affected. In the wake of the incidents, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have made substantial efforts to control the situation, including additional dog training, leashing, consulting with veterinarians, and working with animal behaviorists. However, despite these efforts, the White House environment was ultimately deemed unsuitable for Commander. As of the fall, he was rehomed to live with other family members.
Spokesperson for USSS, Anthony Guglielmi, stated that the incidents involving Commander were treated as workplace injuries, with documentation following Secret Service and US Department of Homeland Security guidelines. Guglielmi assured “While Secret Service personnel neither handle nor care for the first family’s pets, we work continuously with all applicable entities in order to minimize any adverse impacts from family pets.”
Notably, this is not the first instance of canine complications for the Biden family and the Secret Service. Previously, another dog belonging to the Bidens, Major, was involved in aggressive incidents and ultimately was sent away more permanently to Delaware after biting Secret Service agents.
Despite Commander’s departure from the White House, his presence was still celebrated in the holiday decorations at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, with likenesses of the dog featured in festive displays as recently as December, and his name included on the family’s official holiday card.
Relevant articles:
– Bidens’ dog, Commander, bit Secret Service personnel in at least 24 incidents.
– Records show Biden dog, Commander, attacked Secret Service members at least 24 times, Fox News, Thu, 22 Feb 2024 02:02:00 GMT
– Biden gives away Commander after dog drew blood with attacks on Secret Service at White House, vacation home: documents, New York Post, Thu, 22 Feb 2024 00:11:00 GMT
– Biden’s Dog Commander Bit Secret Service Agents At Least 24 Times, Report Says, Forbes, Wed, 21 Feb 2024 23:21:00 GMT