In the corridors of power, an unexpected ‘hazard’ has emerged at the White House – President Joe Biden’s German Shepherd. This four-legged member of the Biden family has once again bitten a US Secret Service worker, raising concerns about the dog’s future in the presidential residence.
The incident occurred at 8 pm on Monday, September 25, when the purebred German Shepherd named Commander attacked a non-uniformed division officer. Fortunately, the injured officer received prompt onsite treatment and is reported to be recovering well, according to the Secret Service.
This is not the first time that one of Biden’s dogs has sunk their teeth into a White House employee. Prior to Commander, there was another German Shepherd named Major, who also displayed aggressive behavior and had to be rehomed.
Took some calls this morning with man’s best co-worker. pic.twitter.com/dmkE5WhuvX
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 25, 2022
Commander’s history is marred by a string of incidents involving Secret Service personnel, totaling at least 10 known encounters between October 2022 and January 2023. One incident even resulted in a team member requiring a hospital visit due to their injuries, while another experienced punctured skin when the dog attacked after being unleashed outside the White House.
Commander has been a companion to President Biden, especially during his period of isolation following a positive Covid-19 test. Pictures were shared of the president taking calls with his loyal canine friend nearby.
However, the dog’s repeated aggressive behavior has now raised concerns about safety. Elizabeth Alexander, the communications director for First Lady Jill Biden, acknowledged the challenges of the White House environment for family pets. She mentioned that the first family is actively working to find ways to help Commander adapt to the unpredictable nature of the White House grounds.
Former USSS agent Jonathan Wackrow expressed his perspective on the matter, noting the unique position of the White House as both the president’s residence and a workplace for thousands of people. Wackrow emphasized that bringing a ‘hazard’ into the workplace is a serious concern, particularly when multiple incidents have occurred.
The Bidens, experienced in handling pets in the high-stakes world of American politics, previously faced a similar situation with Major, their first German Shepherd. Ultimately, Major had to be relocated to live with friends of the president in Delaware due to similar issues. Now, the question looms: could Commander face a similar fate if he can’t control his aggressive tendencies?
In the heart of the nation’s capital, where every step is closely watched, even a presidential pet must adhere to certain standards of behavior, or the consequences may be unfortunate for all parties involved.
