Biden's dog sends secret agent to hospital and bites seven people in four months
President Biden’s nearly 2-year-old German shepherd Commander bit seven people in a four-month period according to internal Secret Service communications.
One incident was so severe that it sent an officer to the hospital, according to records obtained from the Department of Homeland Security.
It follows similar attacks from Biden's other pooch Major, who the White House says was given to family friends after biting Secret Service agents in 2021.
In the most serious recorded incident involving Commander, a bitten Secret Service officer had to visit to a local hospital for treatment after the dog clamped down on their arm and thigh, according to emails released under the Freedom of Information Act to conservative legal group Judicial Watch.
The president and his family are working with the Secret Service to mitigate Commander's biting incidents (AP)The White House is a "unique and often stressful environment" for presidential pets, said Elizabeth Alexander, communications director for first lady Jill Biden.
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She assured, however, that the family is "working through ways to make this situation better for everyone."
The Secret Service is also working with the president and his family to mitigate the situation.
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in an email that the agency has "navigated how best to operate around family pets" for the past several presidents and said the recent incidents "are no exception."
"We take the safety and wellbeing of our employees extremely seriously," he added.
At any given moment, there are dozens of agents posted around the property and its grounds to provide protection for the president and his family.
While they aren't tasked with handling Commander, he's often around them and other personnel.
In a 196-page document obtained by conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch on Tuesday via a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, email communications detailed the interaction one agent had with the dog as he walked him.
Many of the biting incidents were minor, but all resulted in checkups by the White House medical staff (AP)"As Commander moved through the Palm Room doors, he inflicted a 'friendly soft bite' on SA [redacted]'s forearm as [redacted] held the door open," one email reads.
The officer reported the incident, but noted that their business suit "was not ripped in any way." Still, the other agent advised the first to have the White House doctor examine the area in which Commander had bitten them.
Similar incidents are described in hundreds of other emails in the document.
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One respondent summed up what they felt was happening in most of the incidents, writing, "Looks like the dog was being playful, but playful can go wrong quickly."
In several of the incidents, it was noted that Commander was off-leash.
One email details a grim encounter one agent had while protecting the first lady: "Today, while posted, he came charging at me. The First Lady couldn't regain control of Commander, and he continued to circle me."
One officer had to defend themself using a metal cart (Getty Images)The agent said that Commander had "been exhibiting extremely aggressive behavior" and added that they believe "it's only a matter of time before an agent/officer is attacked or bit."
That day didn't take long to arrive.
A mere week later, on November 3, 2022, a uniformed officer was bitten twice, once on the upper right arm and once on the thigh.
The White House medical unit treated the officer, who was later taken to a hospital. They were released but relegated to restricted duty by doctors for several days following the incident.
They allegedly had to use a steel cart to protect themselves.
The Bidens are working with the Secret Service and other White House staff on establishing "additional leashing protocols and training" for Commander, said Alexander.
Secret Service agents are usually all over the White House and its lawns and interact with Commander (AFP via Getty Images)"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," Alexander added.
Commander was a gift from Biden's brother James in December 2021 and is the family's second German Shepherd. The first, Major, was sent to live with friends in Delaware after a few biting incidents akin to Commanders that affected Secret Service and other White House staff.
Guglielmi said Secret Service employees are encouraged to report job-related injuries to their immediate supervisors for appropriate documentation.
"As such, we are aware of past incidents involving first-family pets and these instances were treated similarly to comparable workplace injuries, to include with relevant notifications and reporting procedures followed," he said.
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