President Biden's German shepherd, Commander, has been removed from the White House following a series of biting incidents involving staff members and Secret Service personnel. According to Elizabeth Alexander, Dr. Jill Biden's communications director, the dog is no longer living with the first family, and his next steps are being evaluated. This decision comes after Commander bit a Secret Service officer, marking the 11th incident of aggressive behavior by the president's pets, particularly Commander. Another one of Biden's dogs, Major, was previously sent away from the White House due to a biting incident with a staff member.
Ms. Alexander emphasized that President Biden and the first lady prioritize the safety of those working and protecting at the White House. They are grateful for the support and patience of the U.S. Secret Service as they seek solutions to address the pets' behavior. However, specific details about Commander's current location or potential return to the White House were not provided.
Internal emails obtained by a conservative activist group earlier this summer had already documented 10 instances of aggressive behavior by the president's pets. One email mentioned an agent being left “shaken” when Commander barked at him from the top of a staircase, leading the agent to use a chair as a shield. Although Secret Service agents are not responsible for the president's pets, they often find themselves in close proximity to the dogs while performing their duties.
Anthony Guglielmi, the agency's chief of communications, acknowledged that agents sometimes cannot avoid being near the pets, but efforts are made to minimize adverse impacts. He attributed Commander's behavior to the stressful environment of the White House.
Commander's latest biting incident prompted his removal from the White House. The dog was allowed to stay after previous attacks, but the repeated aggression raised concerns. Alexander stated that the first family is working on ways to help Commander adjust to the unpredictable nature of the White House grounds.
The German shepherd was gifted to the Bidens in December 2021 following the passing of their previous German shepherd, Champ. However, now Commander's future at the White House remains uncertain. Reports suggest that there have been more attacks by Commander than those officially documented, potentially involving other groups of White House employees. The injuries sustained by the victims were not severe.
Ultimately, Commander's removal from the White House highlights the ongoing challenges of integrating pets into a high-stress and demanding environment like the presidency, as the Bidens strive to find a resolution that ensures the safety of all those involved.
